Force of seat belt on person in when car collides into a piston

In summary, a car moving at 20 m/s collides with a piston, compressing air in a cylinder and stopping the car at 0.3m. The 70kg person in the car is also stopped in the same distance due to the seat belt. The average force of the seat belt on the person during the stop can be determined using Newton's second law, F=ma. Assumptions must be made about the mass and acceleration of the person during the stop. The ideal gas law and equations such as PV=nRT are not applicable to this scenario. This question falls under the topic of mechanics, specifically forces and motion, and may involve concepts such as Newton's laws, kinematics, energy methods, or momentum.
  • #1
HoanillaBean
3
0
A car moving at 20 m/s runs into a piston that compresses air in a cylinder and stops the car at 0.3m. The 70kg person stops in the same distance because of the seat belt. Determine the average force of the seat belt on person during the stop and what assumptions did you make?


~we just learned about the ideal gas law and the equations: PV=nRT and F=PA. I'm guessing that these equations are somehow used for this equation. I don't even know where to begin with this.

Can anyone guide me?
 
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  • #2
This is not a question on the ideal gas law, this is a question of force and acceleration under the general topic of mechanics-forces and motion. It involves Newton's laws, kinematics, energy methods, or momentum concepts. Are you familiar with any of these, and if so, please show an attempt.
 

FAQ: Force of seat belt on person in when car collides into a piston

1. What is the force of a seat belt on a person in a car collision?

The force of a seat belt on a person in a car collision depends on the speed of the car, the weight of the person, and the type of seat belt used. On average, seat belts can exert a force of up to 5,000 pounds on a person during a collision.

2. How does a seat belt protect a person during a car collision?

During a car collision, a seat belt helps to distribute the force of impact across the strongest parts of the body, such as the chest and pelvis. This reduces the risk of serious injuries, such as broken bones or internal organ damage.

3. Can a seat belt cause injury during a car collision?

While seat belts are designed to protect individuals during a car collision, they can sometimes cause injuries such as bruises, cuts, or fractures. However, the risk of these injuries is much lower compared to the potential injuries that can result from not wearing a seat belt.

4. How does wearing a seat belt affect the physics of a car collision?

Wearing a seat belt affects the physics of a car collision by reducing the impact force on the body. This is because seat belts help to slow down the body's movement and spread the force of impact over a larger area, decreasing the likelihood of serious injuries.

5. Do seat belts work the same way in all types of car collisions?

No, seat belts may function differently depending on the type of car collision. For example, they may work differently in a head-on collision compared to a side-impact collision. However, overall, seat belts are designed to protect individuals in a variety of car collision scenarios.

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