6 A test of a driver's perception/reaction time is being conducted on a special testing track with level, wet pavement and a driving speed of 50 mi/h. When the driver is sober, a stop can be made just in time to avoid hitting an object that is first visible 385 ft ahead. After a few drinks under exactly the same conditions, the driver fails to stop in time and strikes the object at a speed of 30 mi/h. Determine the driver's perception/reaction time before and after drinking. (Assume practical stopping distance.)

a. 10.5 s b. 6.6 s

Explanation:

a. The driver's perception/reaction time before drinking.

To find the driver's perception time before drinking, we first find his deceleration from

v² = u² + 2as where u = initial speed of driver = 50 mi/h = 50 × 1609 m/3600 s = 22.35 m/s, v = final speed of driver = 0 m/s (since he stops), a = deceleration of driver and s = distance moved by driver = 385 ft = 385 × 0.3048 m = 117.35 m

So, a = v² - u²/2s

substituting the values of the variables into the equation, we have

a = v² - u²/2s

a = (0 m/s)² - (22.35 m/s)²/2(117.35 m)

a =  - 499.52 m²/s²/234.7 m

a = -2.13 m/s²

Using a = (v - u)/t where u = initial speed of driver = 50 mi/h = 50 × 1609 m/3600 s = 22.35 m/s, v = final speed of driver = 0 m/s (since he stops), a = deceleration of driver = -2.13 m/s² and t = reaction time

So, t = (v - u)/a

Substituting the values of the variables into the equation, we have

t = (0 m/s - 22.35 m/s)/-2.13 m/s²

t = - 22.35 m/s/-2.13 m/s²

t = 10.5 s

b. The driver's perception/reaction time after drinking.

To find the driver's perception time after drinking, we first find his deceleration from

v² = u² + 2as where u = initial speed of driver = 50 mi/h = 50 × 1609 m/3600 s = 22.35 m/s, v = final speed of driver = 30 mi/h = 30 × 1609 m/3600 s = 13.41 m/s, a = deceleration of driver and s = distance moved by driver = 385 ft = 385 × 0.3048 m = 117.35 m

So, a = v² - u²/2s

substituting the values of the variables into the equation, we have

a = v² - u²/2s

a = (13.41 m/s)² - (22.35 m/s)²/2(117.35 m)

a = 179.83 m²/s² - 499.52 m²/s²/234.7 m

a = -319.69 m²/s² ÷ 234.7 m

a = -1.36 m/s²

Using a = (v - u)/t where u = initial speed of driver = 50 mi/h = 50 × 1609 m/3600 s = 22.35 m/s, v = final speed of driver = 30 mi/h = 30 × 1609 m/3600 s = 13.41 m/s, a = deceleration of driver = -1.36 m/s² and t = reaction time

So, t = (v - u)/a

Substituting the values of the variables into the equation, we have

t = (13.41 m/s - 22.35 m/s)/-1.36 m/s²

t = - 8.94 m/s/-1.36 m/s²

t = 6.6 s