High School

The table below shows the data for a car stopping on a wet road. What is the approximate stopping distance for a car traveling at 35 mph?

Car Stopping Distances

[tex]
\[
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline
v & d \\
\hline
(mph) & (ft) \\
\hline
15 & 17.9 \\
\hline
20 & 31.8 \\
\hline
50 & 198.7 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\]
[/tex]

[tex]
\[
a(v)=\frac{2.15 v^2}{64.4 f}
\]
[/tex]

A. 41.7 ft
B. 49.7 ft
C. 97.4 ft

Answer :

To find the approximate stopping distance for a car traveling at 35 mph on a wet road, you can use the provided formula:

[tex]\[ a(v) = \frac{2.15 \cdot v^2}{64.4 \cdot f} \][/tex]

where:
- [tex]\( v \)[/tex] is the speed in mph.
- [tex]\( f \)[/tex] is the friction coefficient, assumed as given.

1. Set the speed: The speed [tex]\( v \)[/tex] is given as 35 mph.

2. Assume friction coefficient: The friction coefficient [tex]\( f \)[/tex] is assumed to be 1, unless specified otherwise.

3. Substitute into the formula:
[tex]\[
a(35) = \frac{2.15 \cdot 35^2}{64.4 \cdot 1}
\][/tex]

4. Calculate: After you plug in the values and compute, you get the stopping distance. The calculated result is approximately:

[tex]\[
40.9 \text{ feet}
\][/tex]

Therefore, the stopping distance for a car traveling at 35 mph on a wet road is approximately 40.9 feet.