Factors Affecting BRAKING Distance
Part of Stopping Distances · GCSE GCSE Physics revision
This key facts covers Factors Affecting BRAKING Distance 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 4 of 12 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 4 of 12
Practice
15 questions
Recall
5 flashcards
🚗 Factors Affecting BRAKING Distance
Braking distance depends on:
- Speed — braking distance is proportional to v² (double speed = 4× distance)
- Braking force — stronger brakes = shorter distance
- Mass — heavier vehicle = longer to stop
Adverse conditions:
- Wet roads — less friction, longer braking
- Icy roads — much less friction, MUCH longer braking
- Worn tyres — less grip
- Worn brakes — less braking force
- Overloaded vehicle — more mass to stop
Why braking distance is proportional to v²: The brakes must transfer ALL the kinetic energy. Since KE = ½mv², double speed means 4× energy to transfer!
Quick Check: A driver's reaction time is 0.7 s. The car travels at 20 m/s. Calculate the thinking distance.
Thinking distance = speed × reaction time = 20 × 0.7 = 14 m. This is the distance the car travels before the brakes are even applied.
Keep building this topic
Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Stopping Distances. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.
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.
Quick Recall Flashcards
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