A car driver has to make an emergency stop. The braking distance depends on the speed of the car. For the same braking force, what happens to the braking distance if the speed doubles?

For a situation like this it is best to think of the energy of the car!The car has a kinetic energy = 1/2mv2 so if the speed has doubled the new kinetic energy of the car will be 1/2m(2v)2 meaning the kinetic energy has increased by a factor of 4. To top the car work must be done by the brakes. The work done will also have gone up by a factor of 4. As work = f x d and the force is the same, the braking distance will have increased by a factor of 4.

AD
Answered by Alice D. Physics tutor

5665 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Photons with 605 THz frequency strike metal of 1.2eV work function. Calculate the maximum energy of photoelectrons and their velocity. What amount of energy is necessary to stop all photoelectrons? (Planck's constant. electron mass and charge are given)


Using newtons laws explain how a falling object can reach terminal velocity (6)


If Newton's 3rd law is true (all actions have an equal and opposite reaction), then how can any object move?


A student investigated how the resistance of a piece of nichrome wire varies box with length.Describe how the student would obtain the data needed for the investigation. Your answer should include a risk assessment for one hazard in the investigation.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning