Final answer:
The statement about preventing hydroplaning by driving slowly is true; it's crucial to maintain a safe speed to keep adequate friction between the tires and the road. In addition to tire choice and careful driving, solving physics problems involves a structured approach to identify knowns and unknowns and applying equations accordingly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement regarding hydroplaning prevention is true. Driving slowly is a key factor in preventing hydroplaning, which is a dangerous condition where a layer of water builds up between the tires of a vehicle and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction that prevents the vehicle from responding to control inputs. It occurs when the tire cannot scatter water away fast enough to maintain a grip on the road.
In physics, this involves the concepts of friction and motion. Friction is the resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another, and maintaining an appropriate level of friction between the tires and the road is essential for vehicle control. When the road is wet, the coefficient of friction between the tires and the pavement is reduced, making it more challenging to stop or steer. So, slower speeds, adequate tire tread, and cautious driving are critical in such conditions.
As for other examples where more friction is desirable, consider sports like rock climbing or when basketball players need good grip on the court. Both activities rely heavily on the friction between the equipment (shoes or climbing gear) and the contact surface for safety and performance.
In solving problems, whether it's related to hydroplaning or calculating stopping distances for vehicles, the same structured approach is applied. This involves identifying the knowns and unknowns, and applying appropriate equations to find a solution, while considering factors like reaction time and road conditions which significantly affect the results.