Why Do We Wear Seat Belts Experiment Help

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The experiment conducted involved a wooden board inclined to simulate a car crash scenario with a play-doh figure representing a passenger. Key points of discussion included analyzing free body diagrams for the passenger before and during the collision, where gravity and normal forces were initially balanced, but during the crash, the forces acting on the passenger changed significantly. The importance of seat belts was highlighted, as without them, a passenger continues in uniform motion until impacted by the vehicle's interior. The participant sought clarification on plotting data for distance and speed graphs, emphasizing the need for a curve of best fit. Overall, the experiment aimed to illustrate the dynamics of motion and the critical role of seat belts in vehicle safety.
BoggyP
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Homework Statement


Ok so we did an experiment in class.
We took a wooden board, and put it on an incline. We put a car on top of the board with a man made of play-doh. We put a barrier on the board so that the car would crash and the man would fall off. This has to do with the topic "why do we wear seat belts?" I did the experiment and most of the write up but I'm not sure about a few small things.
1) Free body diagrams on the passenger before & during the collision.
2) Makes curve of best fit on our graphs.

2. The attempt at a solution

1) For before the collision I know the gravity and normal force were i believe equal, since he was sitting on the car. I think that's all but not sure.
For during the collision the apparent force > friction force? and gravity > normal? I think it's true because gravity pulls you back down and the friction you get when flying though air is very small.

2)
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2443143040103984762poFErA
http://thumb2.webshots.net/t/50/750/6/5/40/2220605400103984762TULVjX_th.jpg
Well I have to plot distance down the ramp vs. distance the man went before he stopped & Distance vs. Speed of the car (based on ticker taping).

3. Important Facts

The car was like a brick with wheels a man made of play-doh sat on the top near the front.


Thanks,
BoggyP
 
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The force diagram is a bit tricky.
Without a seatbelt there is no force acting on the driver, he/she continues in a state of uniform motion until his/her head hits the windscreen!

What are you plotting to fit a straight line to ?
 
mgb_phys said:
The force diagram is a bit tricky.
Without a seatbelt there is no force acting on the driver, he/she continues in a state of uniform motion until his/her head hits the windscreen!

The car we used was flat so during the crash in the air, there are no forces? What about when he hits the ground & roles (since he isn't human). I think he means in the air, but I already sent my teacher an email asking which, I'm waiting for him to get back to me.

I uploaded the graphs which should help and I made lines on the computer of an estimate but not sure.
also correction *curve* of best fit.
 

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