Final answer:
The typical driver reaction time is 0.500 seconds. A car moving at a constant velocity of 30.0 m/s will cover 15.0 meters during this time.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer how long it takes for a driver to react to a hazard and put his/her foot on the brake, we refer to the typical driver reaction time. The reaction time is the period between recognizing a hazard and taking physical action to avoid it. According to the provided information, we use a reaction time of 0.500 seconds, which is consistent with many studies on the topic.
During this reaction time, a car traveling at a constant velocity will continue to move at the same speed. For instance, a car initially moving at 30.0 m/s would cover a distance equal to the speed multiplied by the reaction time before the driver starts applying the brakes. Therefore, the distance covered during the driver's reaction time is 30.0 m/s × 0.500 s = 15.0 meters.
Once the brakes are applied, the actual stopping distance depends on many factors, including road conditions (dry or wet pavement), the vehicle's speed, and its braking capabilities. To find the total stopping distance, the distance covered during the reaction time must be added to the distance the vehicle travels from the time the brakes are applied until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.