Answer to Question #276000 in Physics for Dara

Question

3. Seat belt

In the event of an accident, a car driver (80kg) will use the seat belt (and because of

the crumple zone) over a distance of 40cm from 72 km / h to a standstill

braked. This takes 40 ms = 0.040 s.

a) Calculate the braking force on the driver.

b) When supporting on the steering wheel, you can "apply" a maximum of 500 N.

Would that be enough to protect yourself without a seat belt?

Answer 1

a) The force:

$$F=ma=m\frac{v}{t}=40000\text{ N}.$$

b) No.