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4. Physics and Natural Laws

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12. Friction (cont.)

The friction of your tires can be altered by changes in the road surface. Road surfaces change due to:

  • ice
  • rain
  • snow
  • oil and diesel fuel buildup
  • sand or dirt

  • This could result in you losing control of your vehicle. Skidding while braking is caused by the friction of your brakes being stronger than the friction force between your tires and the road, which causes you to lose traction.

    The kinetic energy of your vehicle cannot be converted into friction in your brakes (heat energy) if your brakes are locked during a skid. Newton's first law of inertia takes over in this case. Since there is more inertia in the moving vehicle, and less friction available during locked-up braking, the vehicle will continue to skid, in a straight line, even if the steering wheels are turned. Modern anti-locking braking systems are designed to prevent brakes from locking up.


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    Lesson Summary


      

    Lesson 4 Quiz


    You will now answer 5 questions to test what you learned during this lesson. You must answer all questions correctly to receive completion credit for this lesson. You may answer the questions as many times as necessary to get them right.

    You should review the lesson material if you don't do well on the quiz.

    1. Gravity:


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    2. Centrifugal force:


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    3. According to the formula for stopping distance, how many feet will it take you to stop, from 60 mph?


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    4. The best way to maximize the traction of your tires is to:


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    5. The primary factor in decreasing the Kinetic Energy of an object is to:


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