Final answer:
Reaction distance is the distance a vehicle travels between seeing a hazard and hitting the brakes. With a reaction time of 0.500 s and a speed of 30.0 m/s, the reaction distance would be 15.0 meters, adding to the total stopping distance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reaction distance is defined as the distance traveled between seeing a hazard and physically hitting the brakes. This distance is crucial for driver safety as it affects the total stopping distance of a vehicle. When discussing reaction distance, we must consider the driver's reaction time, which is the interval between recognizing a hazard and the initiation of the braking process. Assuming constant velocity during the reaction time, the reaction distance can be computed by multiplying the driver's speed with their reaction time.
Example Calculation
Let's say a car is initially traveling at 30.0 m/s and the driver has a reaction time of 0.500 s. The reaction distance would be calculated as:
Distance = Speed x Time = 30.0 m/s x 0.500 s = 15.0 meters
This distance adds to the overall stopping distance, which also includes the distance it takes for the car to come to a complete stop once the brakes are applied.