Velocity of Head from Car Accident

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the physics of head-on collisions and the forces involved in blunt-force trauma injuries. In a head-on collision where one car travels at 35 mph and the other at 30 mph, the combined velocity significantly contributes to the impact force. The airbag deploys rapidly, exerting a large force over a very short duration, which primarily affects the skin and not the brain. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for assessing injury mechanisms in car accidents.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with concepts of force and momentum
  • Knowledge of airbag deployment mechanisms
  • Understanding of blunt-force trauma and its effects on the human body
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of car collisions using resources like "HyperPhysics" for detailed calculations
  • Study the mechanics of airbag deployment and its impact on injury prevention
  • Explore the relationship between speed, force, and injury severity in automotive accidents
  • Investigate the medical implications of blunt-force trauma and treatment options
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for automotive safety engineers, medical professionals specializing in trauma care, and individuals interested in understanding the physics of car accidents and injury prevention strategies.

KateinChicago
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My friend was in a head-on collision this week. They were traveling approximately 35 mph. A car collided with them head-on traveling at approximately 30 mph. The airbag deployed, and the impact caused a tremendous contusion on my friend's forehead, but no skull fractures. It's been years since I've had physics, but I was wondering how much force (roughly) was "applied" to my friends forehead to cause his blunt-force trauma injury? The two cars were smaller-sized sedans (not compact cars or SUVs). There would be the velocity of the cars traveling toward each other, the force of their impact, the velocity of the airbag deploying, and the force of its impact, and then there's the velocity of my friend's head whipping foreward toward the airbag. I'm sure this is an easy calculation if I knew exactly what to imput. Thanks!
 
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It's really not an easy calculation and you can forget about the speed of the cars: the airbag deploys extremely fast, but is light and should be just about fully deployed when you it/it hits you, so it hits you with a very large force for a very short time. The time of the impact between the airbag and your forhead is so short that it never transmits to your brain - it stops at your skin. Basically, your skin stops the airbag very quickly, then the pressure of the air inside the airbag stops your head in a much longer time.
 

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