What is stopping distance for a vehicle? What will be the stopping distance if the initial velocity is doubled?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) When brakes are applied to a moving vehicle,the distance it travels before coming to a complete stop is called the stopping distance.
Suppose the initial velocity of the moving vehicle is $v_{0}$. After applying brakes,the retardation is $-a$.
Let the distance covered be $d_{s}$ (stopping distance) and the final velocity be $v = 0$.
Using the kinematic equation $v^{2} - v_{0}^{2} = 2as$:
$0 - v_{0}^{2} = 2(-a)(d_{s})$
$v_{0}^{2} = 2ad_{s}$
$d_{s} = \frac{v_{0}^{2}}{2a}$
Here,$a$ is the magnitude of retardation,which is constant.
Thus,the stopping distance is proportional to the square of the initial velocity: $d_{s} \propto v_{0}^{2}$.
If the initial velocity is doubled,i.e.,$(v_{0})_{2} = 2(v_{0})_{1}$,then:
$\frac{(d_{s})_{2}}{(d_{s})_{1}} = \frac{(v_{0})_{2}^{2}}{(v_{0})_{1}^{2}} = (2)^{2} = 4$.
Therefore,the stopping distance becomes $4$ times the original distance.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ particle moves along a straight line such that its displacement at any time $t$ is given by $s = (t^3 - 6t^2 + 3t + 4) \ m$. Find the velocity of the particle in $m/s$ when its acceleration is zero.

The initial velocity of a particle is $u$ at $t=0$ and the acceleration $a$ is given by $a = \alpha t^{3/2}$. Which of the following relations is valid?

The displacement of a particle moving in a straight line is given by the expression $x = A t^3 + B t^2 + C t + D$ in metres, where $t$ is in seconds and $A, B, C$ and $D$ are constants. The ratio between the initial acceleration and initial velocity is

$A$ body initially at rest is moving with uniform acceleration $a$. Its velocity after $n$ seconds is $v$. The displacement of the body in the last $2 \ s$ is

An automobile travelling with a speed of $60\,km/h$ can brake to stop within a distance of $20\,m$. If the car is going twice as fast,i.e.,$120\,km/h$,the stopping distance will be ........... $m$.

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo