factors affecting braking distance

• What is braking distance affected by?

  SPEED - The faster a vehicle travels, the longer it takes to stop

  WEATHER/ ROAD SURFACE - wet or icy or leaves or oil on road, there is less grip (less friction) between a vehicle's tyres and the road - can cause the tyre to skid

  CONDITION OF TYRES - Skidding on top of water if tyres are bald

  QUALITY OF BRAKES - If brakes are worn down and faulty they won't be able to apply as much force compared to well maintained brakes - could be dangerous if you need to break hard
• How does icy conditions affect safety and stopping distance?

  Increases chance of skidding - increases stopping distance. Driving too close to other cars is unsafeThe longer your stopping distance = the more space you need to leave in front between cars to stop safely
• How do speed limits affect safety and stopping distance?

  Speed affects stopping distance
• How do brakes work?

  Brake pedal is pressed - brake pads pressed onto wheelsContact causes friction - causes work to be doneWork done between wheels and brakes transfers energy from the kinetic energy stores of the wheels to the thermal energy stores of the brakesBreaks increase in temperature