Final answer:
Friction is the final factor in determining whether a vehicle will stop. Other factors like velocity, mass, and acceleration contribute to the motion, but friction between the brake pads, wheels, and road surface enables the vehicle to come to a halt.
Step-by-step explanation:
The final factor in determining whether a vehicle will stop is d) Friction. While velocity, mass, and acceleration all play roles in how a vehicle moves, it is friction that ultimately allows a vehicle to come to a stop. Friction is the force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are in contact. When you apply the brakes in a vehicle, the brake pads create friction with the wheels, which then creates friction with the road, eventually slowing down and stopping the vehicle.
- The initial velocity of the vehicle impacts how much distance is needed to stop.
- Acceleration (more specifically, deceleration) determines the rate at which the vehicle's speed decreases.
- The mass of the vehicle influences the momentum, which affects stopping distance.
- However, without friction, these factors wouldn't be able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.