Collisions I Prelab


Due start of class, week of Oct 15





Name:                                                                  Section:                   




1. In the good old days the dashboard of a car was made of good solid steel. In an accident an unfortunate passenger's head (mass 5 kg) hits the dash at a speed of 30 mph. Assume that the steel bends in 5 mm while stopping the head and that the force is constant. What is the total impulse applied to the head? What is the magnitude of the force?




2. In a nice new 2002 model-year car, an airbag pops out and stops the head in 20 cm. Again, what is the total impulse and force? What is the advantage of the airbag?



John Hughes 2001-10-12