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Physics of Vehicle Safety How Newtons Laws Save Lives

The document discusses how car safety features utilize Newton's Laws and the impulse-momentum relationship to protect passengers during collisions. It explains the role of vehicle bumpers, crumple zones, seatbelts, and airbags in reducing injuries by extending impact time and distributing forces. The effectiveness of these safety measures is highlighted, showing a significant reduction in fatalities and injuries since their implementation.

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111 views8 pages

Physics of Vehicle Safety How Newtons Laws Save Lives

The document discusses how car safety features utilize Newton's Laws and the impulse-momentum relationship to protect passengers during collisions. It explains the role of vehicle bumpers, crumple zones, seatbelts, and airbags in reducing injuries by extending impact time and distributing forces. The effectiveness of these safety measures is highlighted, showing a significant reduction in fatalities and injuries since their implementation.

Uploaded by

jtcgamming
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physics of Vehicle Safety:

How Newton's Laws Save


Lives
Today we'll explore how car safety features leverage physics
principles to protect passengers during collisions. We'll see how
Newton's Laws and the impulse-momentum relationship work
together to reduce injuries in accidents.
Newton's Laws & Vehicle Safety
Newton's First Law
Objects in motion stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force.

Newton's Second Law


Force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma).

Newton's Third Law


For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Impulse-Momentum
Force × Time = Change in Momentum (F × Δt = Δp)
The Impulse-Momentum Relationship
Key Equation Practical Application

F = Δp/Δt Increasing impact time (Δt) reduces force (F).

Force equals change in momentum divided by time. This is the foundation for all vehicle safety features.

Force and time have an inverse relationship. Less force means fewer injuries to passengers.
Vehicle Bumpers
Design Purpose
Absorb impact energy in low-speed collisions.

Physics at Work
Flexible materials compress during impact, extending collision
time.

Time Extension
Longer impact time reduces force transferred to passengers.

Protection Range
Most effective in collisions under 5 mph.
Crumple Zones
Passenger Protection
Preserves integrity of passenger compartment

Energy Absorption
Converts kinetic energy to deformation work

Extended Collision Time


Increases Δt in impulse-momentum equation

Strategic Design
Engineered weak points fold in specific patterns
Seatbelts & Newton's Laws

Restraint System Force Distribution


Keeps occupants secured to the Spreads impact force across
decelerating vehicle. strongest parts of the body.

Counters Inertia Locking Mechanism


Prevents continued forward motion Engages during sudden
when car stops suddenly. deceleration.
Airbags: Increasing
Collision Time
Crash Detection
Sensors detect rapid deceleration above threshold.

Electronic signal triggers deployment within milliseconds.

Rapid Deployment
Chemical reaction produces nitrogen gas.

Bag inflates at speeds up to 200 mph.

Controlled Deceleration
Occupant impacts soft cushion instead of hard surface.

Impact time increases, reducing force by the equation F =


Δp/Δt.
Real-World Impact: Saving Lives
50%
Fatality Reduction
Decrease in crash fatalities since 1980

47%
Seatbelt Effectiveness
Reduction in fatal injuries for front-seat occupants

0.05s
Extended Impact Time
Average time added by safety systems

11,000
Lives Saved Annually
In the US alone by vehicle safety features

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