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3 ptsC,C1Official number: 6775

By approximately how much does the braking distance of a truck increase if the speed doubles?

By approximately how much does the braking distance of a truck increase if the speed doubles?
Explanation

Correct answer: Four times.

According to the fundamental laws of physics, the braking distance of a vehicle is directly proportional to the square of its speed. This means that doubling the speed results in an approximately fourfold increase in the distance needed to stop. In the case of heavy vehicles, such as the lorry visible in the picture, this phenomenon is of crucial importance for safety.