Class 11 Physics simulations · Motion in a Straight Line

Reaction and braking distance

Follow a car through reaction time, braking, and a complete stop.

Open the simulation

What to notice

Braking distance grows with the square of speed; reaction distance grows linearly.

Key relation

sstop = utreaction + u²/(2a)

Try this

Double the starting speed and compare the stopping distance.

What you can change

• Initial speed: 5 to 30 m/s
• Braking deceleration: 2 to 10 m/s²
• Reaction time: 0.2 to 1.5 s

More in Motion in a Straight Line

• Average vs instantaneous velocity
• The catch-up problem
• Motion in one dimension
• Rain and the tilted umbrella
• Relative velocity
• Vertical throw and the turning point
• Area under a v–t graph

See all Class 11 Physics simulations or every Physica simulation.