Page 138 - Big Ideas Year 10 sciPAD 2025

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138 SCIPAD - BIG IDEAS - BOOK 2
FORCES AND MOTION
Speed
(km hr-1)
Stopping
distance (m)
Dry Wet
10 0.5 1
20 2 3
30 5 6
40 9 11
50 14 18
60 20 26
70 28 35
80 36 46
90 45 58
100 56 72
In order to determine if speed was a factor in the crash you decide to conduct an investigation into
the effect of friction on stopping distance. You drive at various speeds and then brake suddenly
when you come to a white line painted on the road surface. You measure the distance the car
takes to stop at each speed. You try the experiment on both wet and dry roads.
2. Use the data from the table to draw a line graph. You will need to draw two lines on
your graph. One for the dry road and one for the wet road. Put the speed data on the
horizontal axis.
3. (a) The car used in this investigation was fitted with good tyres. What difference would
you expect to see if the car was fitted with tyres in poor condition (e.g. no tread)?

(b) Justify your answer to (a) 

4. In this investigation you applied the brakes when you got to a white line. Outline why in
real life the stopping distances would be greater than those measured. 

5. Putting it all together. Using the information you have gathered and information from the
Police report, write a letter to the NZSS Race Team Manager outlining the likely cause of
the accident.
NEW ZEALAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS RACE TEAM
Official Report into the Accident Involving Mr A. Teacher
Written by: Date:









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