[Phys-L] Re: Stopping Distance

[forcejb at YAHOO.COM (John Barrer)]

--- Eugene Mosca <emosca@PTD.NET> wrote:

> In yesterday's Parade magazine there was a statement
> that large
> trucks require more distance to stop than do light
> trucks and cars,
> as much as 50% percent more distance.  Does anyone
> know the
> explanation as to why this is?
>
> Gene

More momentum needs to be transferred to the Earth and
more kinetic energy must be dissipated as heat. Also,
even if larger braking forces can be generated (b/c of
larger tire footprints), they are almost certainly NOT
large enough to keep the F/m ratio the same as for
lighter vehicles.

John Barrere  Fresno, CA