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Chapter 5: Problem 8

Explain why a car with ABS brakes can have a shorter stopping distance.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A car with ABS can have a shorter stopping distance because the ABS prevents the wheels from locking up and skipping, maintaining the larger static friction between the tires and the road. This increased friction allows the vehicle to stop more quickly.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the problem

ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System. When a car has ABS, it can have a shorter stopping distance compared to a car without ABS. The objective is to explain why this is possible.
02

Explain ABS Basics

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) allows the tires of a vehicle to maintain dynamic contact with the road surface according to driver inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up (ceasing rotation) and avoiding uncontrolled skidding.
03

Understand Locked Wheel Effect on Stopping Distance

When a wheel locks up, it starts to slide on the road surface rather than roll, which leads to a substantial decrease in the kinetic friction between the wheel and the road surface. Unlike static friction, kinetic friction is generally lower and provides less stopping power.
04

Explain ABS Effect on Stopping Distance

ABS prevents the wheels from locking up, thereby ensuring that the static friction - which is greater than kinetic friction - between the tires and the road is maintained. This increased friction is what allows a vehicle with ABS to come to a stop more quickly than it would if the wheels locked up and only kinetic friction were in play.

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