Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Physics 1SC0
Key Concepts of Physics
Motion and Forces
Conservation of Energy
Waves
Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Radioactivity
Energy – Forces Doing Work
Forces and Their Effects
Electricity and Circuits
Magnetism and the Motor Effect
Electromagnetic Induction
Particle Model
Motion and Forces
Factors affecting stopping distance and reaction time
- 3 things to know
- Paper 5
Overview
How speed, mass, road conditions and worn brakes or tyres affect stopping distance, how tiredness, alcohol, drugs and distractions lengthen reaction time, and showing reaction times in frequency tables, histograms, bar charts and scatter diagrams, with correlation and causation.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Explain how the mass of a vehicle affects its braking distance.
Explain how worn brakes affect the stopping distance of a vehicle.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Explain how increasing the speed of a vehicle affects its thinking distance.
Model answer
The vehicle travels further during the same reaction time, so the thinking distance increases.
- 2
Explain how the mass of a vehicle affects its braking distance.
Model answer
A heavier vehicle carries more energy in its motion, so the brakes need a greater distance to stop it.
- 3
Explain why a wet or icy road increases the braking distance of a car.
Model answer
There is less friction between the tyres and the road, so the braking force is smaller.
- 4
Explain how worn brakes affect the stopping distance of a vehicle.
Model answer
Worn brakes produce a smaller braking force, so the braking distance and the stopping distance increase.
- 5
Explain how worn tyres affect the braking distance of a car.
Model answer
Worn tread grips the road less well, reducing friction and lengthening the braking distance.
- 6
State three factors that increase the braking distance of a car.
Model answer
A higher speed, a greater mass, and poor road or tyre conditions all increase it.
Other ways to work this
The same content, four other ways.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Every question in Motion and Forces, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.