How does vehicle weight impact stopping distances?

The correct answer emphasizes that empty trucks can take longer to stop compared to loaded ones, and acknowledges that the behavior of buses is different due to their design and weight characteristics.

When a truck is loaded, its weight contributes to better traction and stability. This allows the brakes to effectively decelerate the vehicle, leading to a shorter stopping distance under normal conditions. Conversely, an empty truck, despite weighing less, may have less traction due to its lighter weight, which can lead to a longer stopping distance as the wheels may not grip the road as effectively.

Buses can also exhibit different stopping behavior owing to factors like their weight distribution, the number of passengers, and their braking systems. For example, a bus that is fully loaded with passengers can stop more efficiently than an empty bus, due to the increased weight helping maintain traction, but this can vary across different types of buses and conditions.

The other options do not accurately capture the complexity of the relationship between vehicle weight and stopping distances. For example, a statement that brakes work the same regardless of vehicle weight overlooks the impact that weight has on the braking system's effectiveness. Similarly, the idea that all vehicles stop faster if the driver is experienced fails to consider the fundamental physics involved in vehicle dynamics and