CHAPTER 12 Vehicle Movement

STUDY GUIDE FOR CHAPTER 12 LESSON 1

Using Appropriate Speed

A. Imagine that you are driving and would like to change lanes. To determine if you are driving at an appropriate speed to make the maneuver, ask yourself the following questions. After each question, write an explanation of why it is an important consideration.

1. What is the path of travel like in the lane you are in?

2. What is the path of travel like in the lane you want to enter?

3. Are other vehicles signaling to move into the lane you want to enter?

4. What is happening in the lanes behind you?

5. How fast are you going? Can you change lanes without exceeding the speed limit?

6. Do you have room to make the move safely?

STUDY GUIDE FOR CHAPTER 12 LESSON 2

Total Stopping Distance

A. For each sentence below, circle T if the statement is true and F if it is false. Correct each false statement in the space below.

1. The amount of distance you need to stop the car increases with speed. T F

2. If you double your speed, you will need four times the distance to stop. T F

3. Vehicle-braking distance is the distance your vehicle travels after you see a problem and before you apply the brakes. T F

4. Total stopping distance is the distance it takes from the moment you see a problem until your vehicle is stopped. T F

5. You should identify objects or conditions in your path of travel that could increase the level of risk 30 to 40 seconds ahead. T F

6. Between 20 and 30 seconds ahead equals about 1/2 mile at 50 mph. T F

7. The condition of the road surface affects total stopping distance. T F

B. FIND OUT MORE. During the next few days, observe other people’s driving while you are riding in the school bus or another vehicle.

1. Are drivers keeping enough space between their vehicles to allow for the total stopping distance?

2. How much space should they be keeping in optimal conditions?

3. How much space should they be keeping in adverse conditions?

STUDY GUIDE FOR CHAPTER 12 LESSON 3

Natural Laws and the Movement of Your Vehicle

A. Match the following terms by placing the letter of the definition or a description of what the item does to the left of the item.

1. Inertia / a. friction between your tires and the road
2. friction / b. energy of motion
3. traction / c. causes objects to continue moving in a straight line
4. momentum / d. the point about which weight is evenly distributed
5. kinetic energy / e. force between two surfaces that resists the movement of one surface across the other
6. center of gravity / f. the product of weight and speed

B. Complete the following sentences by writing in the natural law each sentence is describing.

1. When you brake quickly and your books and packages on the backseat fall onto the floor, the force at work is .

2. The force that makes your tires “stick” to the surface of the road is called .

3. Two vehicles going at the same speed hit the same brick wall, but the one that weighs more sustains much more damage. This is an example of _.

4. The faster a vehicle moves, the more energy it has.

5. The force that slows your vehicle going uphill is called .

C. FIND OUT MORE. Look online or in your text book to find out about kinetic energy.

1. What is kinetic energy?

2. How could it affect you/your vehicle when driving? (Give an example)

Natural Laws and Steering and Braking

A. For each sentence below, circle T if the statement is true and F if it is false. Correct each false statement in the space below.

1. Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance make up total stopping distance. T F

2. Braking is a result of friction between the brake linings and your foot. T F

3. Braking distance is greater on a smooth road. T F

4. Your braking distance decreases if you are going downhill. T F

5. Your ability to steer a vehicle depends partly upon the condition of the vehicle’s suspension. T F

6. Directional control is a vehicle’s ability to hold a straight line. T F

7. A banked road is higher on the inside of curves than on the outside. T F

8. A crowned road is higher in the center of the road than on the edges. T F

B. FIND OUT MORE. Look online for the definition of centrifugal force and centripetal force. What are they, and what are the differences between them?

1. Centrifugal force –

2. Centripetal force –

3. Difference between them –

C. Find out more: Using your textbook and NJ Drivers manual, please answer the following question:

1. When approaching a curve, your vehicle will have a tendency to .

2. The best way to enter a curve is to slow down .

3. Driving at a speed of 35 mph or more on wet road surfaces, can cause the tires to

: .