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Lorry A weighs 7 tonnes, and Lorry B weighs 8 tonnes. Both break at 30,000 N. Calculate the stopping distances at their top speeds, assuming a reaction time of 0.4 s.

a. Stopping distance for Lorry A is greater.
b. Stopping distance for Lorry B is greater.
c. Stopping distances are the same.
d. Stopping distances cannot be determined with the given information.

User SlyBeaver
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The stopping distances for Lorry A and B are the same because both have the same braking force and reaction time. No absolute distances can be calculated since the lorries' speeds are not provided, but based on the given conditions, both lorries will have identical stopping distances.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks us to calculate the stopping distances for Lorry A and Lorry B given that both lorries break at 30,000 N and have a reaction time of 0.4 s. To find the stopping distance, we need to consider the distance covered during the reaction time added to the stopping distance once the brakes are applied.

Given the information, we can assume that the initial velocities of both lorries are constant during the reaction time, and thus the distance traveled during the reaction time will be the same for both. Since the only force mentioned that could cause the lorries to stop is the braking force, which is the same for both vehicles, the stopping distances due to braking will also be the same. Without the lorries' velocities or additional information on the braking process, we can't calculate absolute distances, but we can conclude that the total stopping distances for both lorries will be the same since all factors affecting the stopping distance are identical.

User Rplusg
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