Car Collision: Acceleration vs Constant Speed Impact?

  • Thread starter Steven60
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Collision
In summary: in summary, depending on how quickly you slow down when you hit the wall, the damage to the car can be bigger or smaller.
  • #1
Steven60
7
1
Suppose you drive your car into a wall at the rate of 50 mph. Would the damage to the car depend on whether you were accelerating to 50 mph verus a constant speed of 50 mph? What if there was no running engine on impact?
Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
It depends on how quickly you slow down when you hit the wall ,
which depends on 1, the speed when you hit the wall, 2, the strength of the wall and most importantly 3, the engineering of how your car deforms.

Hwo you were accelerating at that moment or the running engine don't make any difference - unless the car or wall squashes slowly enough that you continue accelerating as you squash into it.
 
  • #3
(thinking in idealised terms) the damage would be bigger if you continue to accelerate because the wall wants the front end of car to stop but the acceleration is trying to keep pushing the car forward causing the car to squash even more. (but then by that time your engine is probably gone) now, you need to clarify your question a bit. when does the car actually stop accelerating and start "decelerating", the quicker (over shorter distance) it goes from 50 to 0, the bigger the impact/damage. as you can imagine if the wall breaks the car will not stop at the wall but a bit further down and as a result the stopping distance becomes longer, and hence in general less damage by comparsion is done on the car. just like an F1 hitting the tire wall, if the tires are as hard as rocks, it will not do any good. the fact that they are effective b/c they are soft and they breaks on impact.
so, stopping distance and time it takes to decelerate to 0 mph are the keys here. BUT having said that , we have assumed a lot here. and the real world is not that idealistic.
 

1. What is the difference between acceleration and constant speed impact in a car collision?

Acceleration and constant speed impact refer to the two different types of motion that a car experiences during a collision. Acceleration is when the car is either speeding up or slowing down, while constant speed impact is when the car maintains a steady speed. In a car collision, the impact can be either caused by acceleration or constant speed, depending on the circumstances.

2. How does acceleration affect a car's collision?

Acceleration can greatly impact a car's collision. When a car is accelerating, it is experiencing a change in velocity, which means it is either speeding up or slowing down. This change in velocity can cause a greater force of impact during a collision, resulting in more damage to the car and its occupants.

3. What factors can affect the acceleration or constant speed impact during a car collision?

There are several factors that can affect the acceleration or constant speed impact during a car collision. These include the type of vehicles involved, their speed, the angle of impact, and the mass and size of the objects colliding. Other factors such as road conditions and weather can also play a role.

4. How do seatbelts and airbags help mitigate the impact of a car collision?

Seatbelts and airbags are safety features designed to help mitigate the impact of a car collision. Seatbelts keep passengers in their seats and prevent them from being thrown around the car, while airbags provide a cushioning effect to reduce the force of impact on the occupants. These safety features can greatly reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a car collision.

5. Can a car collision at constant speed cause as much damage as one at acceleration?

Yes, a car collision at constant speed can cause significant damage, depending on the circumstances. While acceleration can increase the force of impact, a constant speed collision can still result in significant damage if the vehicles involved are large and heavy or if the impact occurs at a high speed. It is important to always drive safely and follow traffic laws to reduce the risk of a car collision, regardless of speed or acceleration.

Similar threads

  • Mechanics
Replies
5
Views
950
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • Mechanics
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • Mechanics
Replies
3
Views
289
Replies
3
Views
15K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Mechanics
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
17K
Replies
13
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Back
Top