FRICTION AND BRAKING

1 mark · Easy

State what is meant by the stopping distance of a vehicle.

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The stopping distance is the distance a vehicle travels from the moment the driver notices a need to stop to the point it comes to a complete stop.

Also accept: It is the sum of the thinking distance and braking distance.

Common mistakes: Only stating thinking distance or braking distance, not both.

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Marking points

B1 · 1 mark · For stating that stopping distance is the total distance travelled from the moment the driver reacts to the point at which the car stops (the sum of the thinking and braking distances).

Worked solution

The stopping distance is the total distance a vehicle travels from the moment the driver spots a need to stop to the point where it fully stops. This is equal to the thinking distance plus the braking distance.