Final answer:
The distance to bring a vehicle traveling at 30 mph to a stop includes both the reaction distance and the braking distance. A reaction time of 0.500 seconds results in a reaction distance of around 22 feet. To get the total stopping distance, braking distance must be added, which varies based on road conditions and the car's deceleration rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stopping distance at a certain speed includes both the reaction distance and the braking distance. The student's question specifically references an average reaction time and a vehicle moving at 30 mph. Using a reaction time of 0.500 seconds and the car's initial velocity, we can calculate the distance traveled during the reaction time before the brakes are applied. If a car is traveling at 30 mph (approximately 13.4 m/s), and the reaction time is 0.500 seconds, then the reaction distance is calculated by multiplying the speed by the reaction time. The reaction distance is roughly 6.7 meters (approximately 22 feet).
For the total stopping distance, we also need to include the braking distance, which depends on factors like the coefficient of friction and deceleration rate. But to provide a specific answer, we would need the precise deceleration rate for the given scenario. The braking distance can be significantly different on dry versus wet pavement, as the coefficient of friction changes.