Which of the following scenarios requires the highest stopping power?

The scenario that requires the highest stopping power involves both doubled speed and doubled weight. When a vehicle's speed is increased, its kinetic energy rises significantly, as kinetic energy is proportional to the square of the speed. This means that doubling the speed quadruples the kinetic energy, making it much harder to halt the vehicle quickly.

At the same time, doubling the vehicle's weight directly increases the mass that needs to be decelerated. Heavier vehicles require greater force to stop because stopping power relies on overcoming both speed and mass. In this particular case, since both speed and weight are increased, the stopping force required multiplies even further due to the combined effects of increased kinetic energy and mass.

Therefore, driving a vehicle that is both heavier and traveling at a higher speed creates a situation where the stopping power must be maximized to ensure safety, highlighting the importance of understanding these dynamics for drivers operating heavy trailers.