Automobile collision-speed passenger crashes against dashboard

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the speed at which a passenger crashes into the dashboard during an automobile collision. The automobile decelerates from an initial speed of 50 km/h (13.89 m/s) at a constant rate of -200 m/s². Given the distance of 0.60 m between the passenger and the dashboard, the final speed of the passenger relative to the automobile is determined to be 15.5 m/s. The calculations utilize the equations of motion, specifically the relationship between acceleration, initial velocity, and displacement.

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  • Understanding of kinematic equations in physics
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  • Basic grasp of relative motion principles
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Homework Statement


In a collision, an automobile initially traveling at 50 km/h decelerates at a constant rate of 200 m/s^2. A passenger not wearing a seat belt crashes against the dashboard. Before the collision, the distance between the passenger and the dashboard was 0.60 m. With what speed, relative to the automobile, does the passenger crash into the dashboard? Assume that the passenger has no deceleration before contact with the dashboard.

initial velocity: 50 km/h= 13.89 m/s
a= -200 m/s^2
x-x0= 0.60 m




Homework Equations


x-x0= 1/2(v0+v)t
a= (v^2-vo^2)/2(x-x0)



The Attempt at a Solution


-200 m/s^2= (v^2-179.29 m^2/s^2)/1.2 m

answer is supposed to be 15.5 m/s.
 
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The question asks for the velocity relative to the automobile. The initial velocity of the passenger relative to the automobile is 0m/sec. Try working it that way.
 

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