Force & Motion Homework: How to Calculate Force from Restricted Motion

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the force acting on a passenger's upper torso during a collision, specifically when a car traveling at 48 km/h comes to a stop after hitting a bridge abutment. The passenger moves forward 53 cm while being decelerated by an airbag. The mass of the passenger's upper torso is given as 40 kg. The key approach suggested involves using the principles of kinetic energy and work done during the deceleration process to determine the magnitude of the force.

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  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Basic principles of kinetic energy
  • Concept of work-energy theorem
  • Familiarity with force calculations in physics
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of motion and force during collisions, particularly in automotive safety contexts.

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Homework Statement


A car traveling at 48 km/h hits a bridge abutment. A passenger in the car moves forward a distance of 53 cm (with respect to the road) while being brought to rest by an inflated air bag. What magnitude of force (assumed constant) acts on the passenger's upper torso, which has a mass of 40 kg?


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The Attempt at a Solution


Can somebody please help me with an approach to this type of problem.
 
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Try using conservation of energy. The car has kinetic energy and when it hits, work is done in moving the passenger 53cm into the air-bag.
 
Hmm, we have not gone over kinetic energy in class yet. I'll read up on it, and post an approach and see if it's right.
 

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