Lamp tips over and hits the top of the head

In summary, the lamp tips over and hits the top of the head with an initial speed of 10 m/s. The impact has a g force of approximately 3.8 newtons, which is the force needed to stop a person from moving at that speed.
  • #1
freexd
24
0
Imagine a lamp tips over and hitst the top of the head. the lamp weighs about 300 gram and the distance when it started to tip over and hit the head was about 15 centimeters. in the moment of the impact the lamp has tipped over excactly for 90 degrees. The material is Metal that deforms only very little.

what g force did the impact have?
 
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  • #2
It depends crucially on the deformation of the metal and the floor. Absolutely no deformation would lead to "infinite" acceleration, but absolutely no deformation is impossible.
As rough approximation: (braking distance)/(distance it fell).
 
  • #3
freexd said:
Imagine a lamp tips over and hitst the top of the head. the lamp weighs about 300 gram and the distance when it started to tip over and hit the head was about 15 centimeters. in the moment of the impact the lamp has tipped over excactly for 90 degrees. The material is Metal that deforms only very little.

what g force did the impact have?
You need to know how fast it was going right before the impact, and how long it took to stop.
 
  • #4
As braking distance I would take 1 millimeter for the deformation of the scalp and 1 millimeter for the deformation of the lamp.

as falling acceleration we could take 10 m/s (falling acceleration)

the time it took to stop is hard to estimate
 
  • #5
10m/s is a speed, the gravitational acceleration in free fall is 10m/s2.
The lamp is not in free fall, however, as its base always has contact to the floor. It is possible to get a good estimate of its speed (if you know its mass distribution and so on), but I don't think you care about a factor of ~1.5 here, so assuming a free fall gives a reasonable estimate. There is a simple formula to find the speed of an object after falling down a given height. This will also help to find the stopping time.
Alternatively, you can directly use the approximation I gave in post 2. It assumes uniform deceleration which is probably not true either, but precise values are much more work.
 
  • #6
You can estimate the deceleration that the lamp will experience and express that in terms of g, but perhaps you care more about the head?
 
  • #7
CWatters said:
but perhaps you care more about the head?
Somebody else's!.
 

What causes a lamp to tip over and hit the top of the head?

There are a few possible causes for a lamp tipping over and hitting the top of the head. These include uneven or unstable surfaces, a weak or broken lamp base, or accidental bumping or pushing of the lamp.

Can a lamp falling on the head cause injury?

Yes, a lamp falling on the head can cause injury. The severity of the injury will depend on the weight of the lamp and the force of impact. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any pain or symptoms after a lamp falls on your head.

How can I prevent a lamp from tipping over?

To prevent a lamp from tipping over, make sure it is placed on a stable and even surface. You can also use adhesive or non-slip pads under the base of the lamp for added stability. Avoid placing the lamp in an area where it may be easily bumped or knocked over.

Is it safe to use a lamp with a cracked or damaged base?

No, it is not safe to use a lamp with a cracked or damaged base. This can make the lamp unstable and increase the risk of it tipping over and causing injury. It is best to replace the lamp or have it repaired by a professional.

What should I do if a lamp falls on my head?

If a lamp falls on your head, seek medical attention if you experience any pain or symptoms. Apply ice to any bumps or bruises, and monitor for signs of a concussion. It is also important to inspect the lamp for any damage and fix or replace it if necessary.

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