Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
FRICTION AND BRAKING
20 practice questions
Practice questions
11–20 of 20
Question 11
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State what is meant by (a) thinking distance, and (b) braking distance of a vehicle.
(a)[1 mark]State what is meant by thinking distance.
(b)[1 mark]State what is meant by braking distance.
Question 12
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A driver is travelling at night when it begins to rain heavily. Describe and explain how both the thinking distance and the braking distance are affected, giving a reason for each.
Question 13
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The table below shows the stopping distances for a car with good tyres and brakes on a dry road:
Speed (mph) Thinking distance (m) Braking distance (m) Total stopping distance (m) 30 9 14 50 15 38 (a) Complete the table by calculating the total stopping distance for each speed.
(a)[2 marks](b)[1 mark](b) Use the table to state how the total stopping distance changes as the speed increases.
Question 14
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain how each of the following factors affects the braking distance of a vehicle. (a) The mass of the vehicle (b) The speed of the vehicle (c) The condition of the road surface (d) The condition of the tyres
(a)[1 mark](b)[1 mark](c)[1 mark](d)[1 mark]Question 15
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A van is travelling along a dry road at 40 mph. The thinking distance is 12 m and the braking distance is 24 m.
(a)[1 mark]Calculate the total stopping distance for the van.
(b)[2 marks]If the driver was distracted, the reaction time would increase. Explain what would happen to the stopping distance.
(c)[1 mark]The braking distance would remain the same. Explain why.
Question 16
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which of the following would NOT increase the stopping distance of a car?
- A.Well-inflated tyres with deep tread
- B.Wet and icy road surface
- C.Driver is tired
- D.Increased vehicle speed
Question 17
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A cyclist is riding at 20 mph on a dry road. The thinking distance for the cyclist is 6 m. The braking distance is also 6 m. The road suddenly becomes wet.
(a)[1 mark]Calculate the total stopping distance for the cyclist on the dry road.
(b)[2 marks]Explain what will happen to the stopping distance if the road becomes wet. State the reason.
Question 18
4 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →A car travels at 50 mph on a wet road surface and an identical car travels at the same speed but on a dry road. Both drivers apply the brakes at the same time when they see an obstacle ahead.
(a)[2 marks]Explain why the car on the wet road will have a longer stopping distance. Refer to the forces involved in your answer.
(b)[2 marks]State two factors, apart from the road surface, that could increase the braking distance for both cars.
Question 19
3 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →A driver needs to stop suddenly when a traffic light turns red. The car is moving at a higher speed than usual, and the driver is very tired.
(a)[2 marks]Describe how the driver’s tiredness and the higher speed affect the thinking and braking distances.
(b)[1 mark]Explain the effect of these factors on the total stopping distance.
Question 20
3 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →The table below gives the thinking distance and braking distance for a car at two different speeds in ideal conditions.
Speed (mph) Thinking distance (m) Braking distance (m) 30 9 14 60 18 55 (a)[2 marks]Compare how thinking distance and braking distance change when the speed doubles from 30 mph to 60 mph.
(b)[1 mark]Explain why braking distance increases much more than thinking distance as speed increases.