Automobile collision force problem

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the net forces experienced by occupants during an automobile collision, specifically addressing scenarios with and without seat belts and airbags. A 60kg individual in a car traveling at 15 m/s experiences different deceleration distances based on restraint systems. When restrained, the deceleration occurs over approximately 1 meter, while unrestrained occupants decelerate over only about 5 centimeters upon impact with unyielding surfaces. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding Newton's first law in relation to collision forces.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion, particularly Newton's first law
  • Basic knowledge of physics concepts such as force, mass, and acceleration
  • Familiarity with the concepts of work and energy in physics
  • Ability to perform calculations involving force and deceleration
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the net force on a restrained occupant using the formula F = ma, where 'm' is mass and 'a' is deceleration.
  • Explore the concept of crumple zones and their role in vehicle safety during collisions.
  • Investigate the physics of airbags and their effectiveness in reducing collision forces.
  • Learn about the implications of unrestrained occupants in vehicle accidents and related safety measures.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, automotive safety engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of automobile collisions and occupant safety measures.

mowassel
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
seat belts and airbags save lives by reducing the forces exerted on the driver and passengers in an automobile collision. cars are designed with a crumple zone in the front of the car. in the event of a impact, the passenger compartment decelerates over a distance of about 1 m as the front of the car crumples. an occupant restrained by seat belts and air bags decelerates witht the car. by contrast, an unrestrained occupant keeps moving forward with no loss of speed (Newton's first law) until hitting the dashboard or windshield. these are unyielding surfaces, and the unfortunate occupant the decelerates over a distance of only about 5.

a)a 60kg person is in a head on collision. the car's speed at impact is 15m/s. estimate the net force on the person if he or she is wearing a seat belt and if the air bag deploys.

b) estimate the net force that ultimately stops the person if her or she is not restrained by a seat belt or air bag.

c) how do these two forces compare to the person's weight?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What attempts have you made to solve the problem so far? We won't do your homework for you, because that will be of absolutely no help to you. However, if you show us how far you got and where specifically you got stuck, we can help point you in the right direction.

Hint for part (a): how much work has to be done to bring the person to a stop? Over what distance is this work being done?
 
i tried solving it acouple of time but failed...please or explain how i should do it?
 

Similar threads

Physics120 car collision question
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
13K
Saving Lives Through Seat Belts & Air Bags
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Car Crash numbers not working?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
13K
Average force to keep something in place during an automobile crash?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Relative distances (motion problem) --
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Automobile collision-speed passenger crashes against dashboard
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Settting up force problem with only mass and velocity provided
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Car collision-speed passenger crashes into dashboard
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Calculating Net Force and Deacceleration in a Head-On Collision
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
Newtonian physics word problem static friction
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K