[Phys-L] Re: Stopping Distance

[ajm at CSUPOMONA.EDU (John Mallinckrodt)]

>  >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
>
> The ratio of max braking force to max laden weight is less
> favorable than for passenger cars.

Knowing Gene pretty well, I suspect he had sussed that much out.  I
would imagine that his question is really more like, "Why should that
be, considering the fact that the coefficients of friction between
the tires and the road ought to be very similar in both cases?"  I
don't know the answer either, but I suspect it's more a result of
simple safety considerations.  One doesn't want to be handling a
loaded semi as close to the brake locking point as one might be
willing to risk in a passenger car.

--
John "Slo" Mallinckrodt

Professor of Physics, Cal Poly Pomona
<http://www.csupomona.edu/~ajm>

and

Lead Guitarist, Out-Laws of Physics
<http://www.csupomona.edu/~hsleff/OoPs.html>