HOW CAN WE USE PHYSICS TO REDUCE CAR ACCIDENTS?

Edward Ghattas, Garbo Cheng, Ana Isabel Perez, Jamileh Kawas Physics F

The Human Factor

Background information Physics Basics Driving Safely Driving Under the Influence Choosing the Right Car

BACKGROUND INFO: PHYSICS BASICS

Terms to Know

Mass Distance Speed/Velocity Acceleration Force

the quantity of matter in something.

the amount of space between two things

How fast something is traveling

How fast the rate of the velocity is changing

A push or pull that can cause an object to move

Terms to Know

Reaction time

The time it takes to respond to a stimulus; in driving it is the time it takes you to react to an obstacle you have noticed

Reaction distance

The distance traveled before a person reacts to the perceived obstacle; the distance the car travels before the person actually hits the break

Breaking distance

The distance it takes for a car to decelerate and reach a complete stop after hitting the breaks

Stopping distance

distance it takes for something to completely stop. In driving, it is the sum of the reaction distance and breaking distance

Terms to Know

Momentum

An impelling force that is the product of a bodys mass and its velocity. For there to be momentum, there has to be movement

Impulse

Something that changes the momentum of an object

Impact
Newtons third law

The force transmitted by a collision

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

Gravity

The natural force of attraction between any two massive bodies

DRIVING SAFELY

Speed and Stopping Distance

The reaction time of a driver is fairly constant (unless altered by drugs, alcohol, drowsiness, etc.). Nonetheless, the distance traveled during this time depends on the speed of the car. As speed increases, the stopping distance and distance needed to evade an obstacle increase as well.

Velocity and Force of Impact

Momentum is the product of mass and velocity.

P=m*v

Therefore, the greater the velocity, then the greater the momentum. Furthermore, greater momentum means greater change in momentum. Change in momentum is also known as impulse.

P = I

Impulse is the product of force and time.

I=f*t

So?
If you double the velocity of a car before a collision, the force of impact will be four times greater. Hence, if you triple the velocity before collision, the force of impact is nine times as great!

Be Safe! Tip #1
So, watch speed limits Theyre there for a reason. Remember, the slower you go the less distance you travel before completely stopping and the lesser the force of impact. If crashing is inevitable, try gliding of concrete so that you can gradually reduce the speed of the car before the actual collision. More speed = longer stopping distance/larger force = higher likelihood of collision & chances of death. (This doesnt mean drive like a turtle!)

Mass and Force of Impact

Force (measured in Newtons) is equal to the product of mass and acceleration. F=m*a

Therefore, weight (mass) also influences the force of impact. Mass and the force of impact are directly proportional. So, if the weight (mass) of the vehicle doubles, the force of impact doubles as well.
Example #1: Mass of just vehicle: 1,587.57 kg Acceleration: 3 m/s2 1587.57 kg * 3 m/s2 = 4,762.71 N Example #2: Mass of vehicle doubled: 3,175.14 kg Acceleration (constant): 3 m/s2 3,175.14 kg * 3 m/s2 = 9,525.42 N

As you can see, the acceleration remained constant. All that changed was the mass. This change in mass had a large effect on the force exerted (it doubled).

Be Safe! Tip #2
Tread lightly. Try not to have excess weight in the car (unnecessary luggage, passengers, items, etc). Though eight people might fit into a car, the excess weight makes the force experienced during a possible car crash greater. Even if the mass added by passengers is minimal compared to the mass of the car, it still influences the force of collision; those extra Newtons might take your life. Remember, greater weight = greater force of collision = greater OUCH!

Acceleration and Newtons 3rd Law

Because of Newtons 3rd Law, when two objects collide the object with a greater mass experiences less acceleration.

M*a=A*m

Be Safe! Tip #3
At times, breaks decide to stop working. If this ever happens and the ONLY OPTION is crashing into another vehicle, crash into a larger one! That way, the other car experiences less acceleration than your car and they have a lesser chance of getting harmed.

Dont risk their lives just because YOUR breaks stopped working.

Cars, Gravity, and Inclination

Because of gravity, when going down a hill a car speeds up, and when going up a hill a car slows down.

Be Safe! Tip #4
When driving and experiencing some sort of inclination, be aware! Notice when you are about to go down a hill so you are aware that your call will speed up. That way you can apply the breaks when necessary and maintain better control of the speed of your car.

In Short:
1.

2.
3.

4.

Drive acceptably slow. Drive lightly. Crash into larger objects. Be aware of inclination.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Reaction Time and Reaction Distance

As previously stated, reaction time is the time it takes a person to react or hit the breaks after noticing an obstacle while driving.

If a man with a reaction time of .25 seconds sees kids crossing the street, then it takes him .25 seconds to hit the breaks after noticing the kids. In this .25 second, the car covers a certain distance (which depends on the speed of the car). This distance is known as reaction distance.

Effect of Drugs & Alcohol on Reaction Time

Alcohol and drug abuse may alter perception and reaction time. Perception and reaction time are qualities required for safe driving. The average reaction time for humans is around 0.25 seconds. Under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, your reaction time may increase drastically. Studies have shown that for every two units of alcohol, reaction time increases by an average of 0.2 seconds.

This increase in reaction time can make a huge difference on a persons life, for it can save a persons life and prevent an accident or it can destroy someones life.

Dont Let Substances Alter Your Reaction Time Before Driving

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAR

Cars Deal With Physics

It is important to be educated on the physics factor involved with cars. Tires, breaks, horsepower, and the car itself all influence the physics involved in a car crash. For example: Heavy car + big people = a lot of weight = more momentum (which is bad). Momentum

Choosing the Right Car for You

You cant influence how a car deals with momentum, impulse, etc., but it is your responsibility to choose a safe car. Are you a obsessed with speed? Too bad. Unless you are planning on killing yourself in the highway try to avoid cars with a lot of horse power as they are less stable. Be aware of your personal needs; do you have children? Are you riding solo? Before purchasing a car, research its benefits and weaknesses while keeping physics and this presentation in mind.

Car Safety Inside

Take account of effective seat belts The amount of airbags Always research for new advances when buying a new car P = I / I = f * t Airbags and seat belts increase the time it takes for the passenger to crash into the car This increase in time thus reduces the amount of force in impact

THANK YOU!

Sources

http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safetyguideline/maintain-a-safe-following-distance-the-3-secondrule.html http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Laws-of-Physics-and-HowThey-Affect-Driving&id=3961844

http://www.visualexpert.com/Resources/reactiontime.html
http://seriousaccidents.com/legal-advice/top-causes-of-caraccidents/driving-under-the-influence-dui-of-drugs/ http://www.all-about-car-accidents.com/resources/autoaccident/auto-accident-causes/what-a-reasonable-drivingreaction-time