# A cyclist is riding along a road when they spot a hazard ahead and apply the brakes to stop. Explain how the cyclist's speed affects both the thinking distance and the braking distance.

> OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249) — P8 Global challenges · Explain · 4 marks

> A cyclist travelling at a higher speed takes a much greater distance to stop compared with a cyclist travelling at a lower speed.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Thinking distance increases with greater speed
2. Because the reaction time stays the same but the cyclist covers more ground in that fixed time
3. Braking distance increases with greater speed
4. Because there is more kinetic energy / momentum to remove, so the braking force must act over a greater distance

## Key terms

- [thinking distance](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/thinking-distance)
- [braking distance](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/braking-distance)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-cyclist-is-riding-along-a-825406c2) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.