Question

If you double your speed, how much more distance will it take to stop?

(A) Twice as much distance
(B) Three times as much distance
(C) Four times as much distance
(D) Five times as much distance

Answer 1

If you double your speed, it will take four times as much distance to stop because of the squared relationship between speed and stopping distance dictated by the laws of physics and the work-energy principle.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you double your speed, the distance it takes to stop will increase not just by double, but to a greater extent due to the squared relationship between speed and stopping distance according to the laws of physics. Specifically, the stopping distance is proportional to the square of the speed. Therefore, if you double your speed, it will take four times as much distance to stop. This is because kinetic energy, which must be dissipated in stopping the vehicle, is proportional to the square of the velocity (KE = 1/2 mv2), and the work-energy principle dictates that the work done to stop the vehicle is equal to the kinetic energy the vehicle had while moving.