What is the required stopping power when both vehicle speed and weight are doubled?

When analyzing the relationship between stopping power, speed, and weight, it is important to understand the physics involved. Stopping power is largely influenced by two main factors: the kinetic energy of the vehicle and the forces acting upon it during braking.

Kinetic energy is calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 mv², where 'm' represents mass and 'v' represents velocity. If both the speed and weight of the vehicle are doubled, we can see how energy changes:

1. Doubling the speed: If the speed of the vehicle increases from 'v' to '2v,' the kinetic energy increases by a factor of (2v)², which is 4v². Therefore, the kinetic energy would be 4 times greater than the original.

2. Doubling the weight: By increasing the vehicle's weight from 'm' to '2m,' the mass in the kinetic energy formula also doubles, contributing to the total energy as 2m * (original speed)².

Now, combining these effects, the overall stopping power needed also significantly increases, not just by the factor of how many times heavier or faster the vehicle is, but rather through multiplication of these factors. When both changes are taken into account