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Difficulty: MediumFactors Affecting Thinking Distance

Assuming a constant driver reaction time, doubling a vehicle's travelling speed will double its thinking distance.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True, because thinking distance is directly proportional to speed when reaction time remains unchanged.
The statement is true. Thinking distance measures the distance travelled during the driver's reaction time prior to physical brake application. Since distance equals speed multiplied by time, doubling the road speed while maintaining an identical reaction time exactly doubles the distance covered before braking begins.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the formula governing thinking distance
Thinking Distance=Speed×Reaction Time\text{Thinking Distance} = \text{Speed} \times \text{Reaction Time}
Thinking distance is the distance a vehicle travels during the interval between perceiving a hazard and pressing the brake pedal.
2
Evaluate the mathematical effect of multiplying speed by 2 with constant reaction time
New thinking distance =(2×v)×t=2×(v×t)= (2 \times v) \times t = 2 \times (v \times t)
Because time is constant, thinking distance is directly proportional to initial velocity (vv).
3
Distinguish between thinking distance and braking distance scaling
Thinking distance doubles (2×2\times), whereas braking distance quadruples (4×4\times).
Braking distance depends on kinetic energy (proportional to v2v^2), whereas thinking distance depends only on linear velocity.

Key Concept

Thinking distance increases in direct linear proportion to vehicle speed when reaction time is constant.
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Topics

Factors Affecting Thinking Distance

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