Physics - Force and Motion

• What is the distance a vehicle travels to safely stop after spotting a hazard called?

  Stopping distance
• What is thinking distance?

  The distance vehicle travels during driver's reaction time
• What is braking distance?

  The distance vehicle travels once brakes are applied
• What is the relationship between stopping distance, thinking distance, and braking distance?

  Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance
• Does the speed of a vehicle have a bigger effect on braking distance or thinking distance?

  Braking distance
• Which distance is proportional to the speed of the vehicle?

  Braking distance
• What are three factors that can affect the braking distance of a vehicle?


  Speed, road conditions, tyre and brake condition
• What can happen if the braking force used to stop a vehicle is very large?

  Brakes may overheat or the car may skid
• What is elastic deformation?

  An object can return to its original shape
• What is inelastic deformation?

  An object does not return to its original shape
• How do you find the spring constant from a force-extension graph of a spring?

  Find the gradient of the straight line section
• What are the factors affecting braking distance?

  • Speed of the car
  • Condition of the brakes and tyres
  • Road conditions
• What is the formula to calculate deceleration?

  $a =$$(v-u)/t$
• What is deformation?

  A change in the shape of an object
• What is the difference in force required to move a stationary object versus slowing a moving object?

  More force is needed to move a stationary object
• What factors affect thinking distance?

  • Speed of the car
  • Tiredness
  • Drugs
  • Alcohol
  • Distractions
• What is elastic deformation in terms of forces?

  The object returns to its original shape when forces are removed
• What is inelastic deformation in terms of forces?

  The object does not return to its original shape when forces are removed
• What is the equation for the spring constant?

  $F =$$k \times x$
• What are the key terms related to force and motion?

  • Braking distance
  • Deceleration
  • Deformation
  • Elastic
  • Inelastic