June 2019 Paper 2 Q9

EdexcelCurrent spec9 marksLogs & ExponentialsModelling

9. A research engineer is testing the effectiveness of the braking system of a car when it is driven in wet conditions.

The engineer measures and records the braking distance, \(d\) metres, when the brakes are applied from a speed of \(V\)\(\,\text{km}\,\text{h}^{-1}\).

Graphs of \(d\) against \(V\) and \(\log_{10} d\) against \(\log_{10} V\) were plotted.

The results are shown below together with a data point from each graph.

Figure 5: graph of d against V: a curve from O, increasing ever more steeply, through the point (30, 20)
Figure 5
Figure 6: graph of log10 d against log10 V: a straight line with positive gradient crossing the vertical axis at (0, -1.77)
Figure 6
(a) Explain how Figure 6 would lead the engineer to believe that the braking distance should be modelled by the formula\[d = kV^n \qquad \text{where } k \text{ and } n \text{ are constants}\]with \(k \approx 0.017\) (3)

Using the information given in Figure 5, with \(k = 0.017\)

(b) find a complete equation for the model giving the value of \(n\) to 3 significant figures. (3)

Sean is driving this car at 60\(\,\text{km}\,\text{h}^{-1}\) in wet conditions when he notices a large puddle in the road 100 m ahead. It takes him 0.8 seconds to react before applying the brakes.

(c) Use your formula to find out if Sean will be able to stop before reaching the puddle. (3)