In a crash test the strapped-in, 75-kg dummy moves a distance of 0.80 m when the test car is slammed straight into a wall at 11.2 m/s (~25 mph). The average force acting on the dummy during the collision is how many times his own weight?

Respuesta :

Explanation:

It is given that,

Mass of the dummy, m = 75 kg

Distance, d = 0.8 m

Initial speed of the dummy, u = 0

Final speed of the dummy, v = 11.2 m/s

Firstly finding the acceleration of the test car. Using third equation of motion to find it as :

[tex]v^2-u^2=2ad[/tex]

[tex]v^2=2ad[/tex]

[tex]a=\dfrac{v^2}{2d}[/tex]

[tex]a=\dfrac{(11.2)^2}{2\times 0.8}[/tex]

[tex]a=78.4\ m/s^2[/tex]

Let F is the average force. It is given by the product of mass and acceleration. It is given by :

[tex]F=ma[/tex]

[tex]F=75\times 78.4[/tex]

F = 5880 N

Taking ratios,

[tex]\dfrac{F}{W}=\dfrac{ma}{mg}[/tex]

[tex]\dfrac{F}{W}=\dfrac{a}{g}[/tex]

[tex]\dfrac{F}{W}=\dfrac{78.4}{9.8}[/tex]

[tex]\dfrac{F}{W}=8[/tex]

[tex]F=8W[/tex]

The average force acting on the dummy during the collision is 8 times of his weight. Hence, this is the required solution.