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What is the average stopping distance on dry, level pavement when driving 65 mph?

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Final answer:

The average stopping distance for a car going 65 mph on dry, level pavement involves calculating the distance traveled during driver's reaction time plus the vehicle's braking distance, which is influenced by the deceleration rate on the pavement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the stopping distance of a car traveling on dry, level pavement at a speed of 65 mph. Calculating the stopping distance involves considering both the reaction time of the driver and the actual braking distance of the vehicle. The stopping distance can be calculated by adding the distance covered during the driver's reaction time to the distance needed to stop the car once the brakes have been applied.

An average reaction time for a driver is about 0.5 seconds. While the car is traveling at 65 mph, which is approximately 29.0 m/s, the car will cover a distance during the driver's reaction time before the brakes are applied. Then, using a deceleration rate—for dry pavement a common average value might be around 7.0 m/s²—the stopping distance can be further calculated using the kinematic equations of motion.

The example provided assumes a deceleration rate on dry pavement and a reaction time, but we have to adjust for the specified speed of 65 mph. Once we have calculated the distance traveled during the reaction time, we would add it to the distance required to bring the car to a complete stop to find the total stopping distance. Without precise numerical values specific to 65 mph in the given information, a precise stopping distance cannot be provided without additional calculations.

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