This exam focus covers Exam Focus within Stopping Distances for GCSE Physics. Revise Stopping Distances in Forces for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 5 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 10 of 12 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
🎯 Exam Focus
Frequently Examined
Stopping distances are examined on Edexcel 1PH0/1 (Paper 1, Foundation or Higher tier) and across all major GCSE Physics boards. Edexcel typically presents this topic as a road-safety scenario ("A car is travelling at 15 m/s when the driver sees a hazard…") and tests multi-step calculations. Core Practical CP3 (investigating the relationship between braking force and stopping distance) may be referenced. Key question types:
- Calculate thinking distance from speed and reaction time
- State factors that increase reaction time / thinking distance / braking distance
- Explain why braking distance quadruples when speed doubles — link to KE = ½mv²
- Compare graphs of speed-time data showing vehicle stopping
- Evaluate road safety measures — 20 mph zones, wet roads, phone use
Common 3-mark structure: State the factor → explain how it affects reaction time or friction → link to thinking/braking distance increasing.
Practice questions for Stopping Distances
What is the correct definition of stopping distance?
Explain why a car travelling at higher speed has a greater braking distance than a car travelling at lower speed, assuming the same braking force.