Forces on a passenger in a car?

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In summary: It is the same answer for a human being standing still at the equator while actually moving at 1670 km/h.
  • #1
beans123
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What would the forces acting only on a passenger in a car going at constant speed on a level surface be? Of course, there would be weight and the reactive force acting on any passenger, but is there a horizontal net force? Or are there just the forces acting on the car and there are no horizontal forces acting on the passenger directly?
Thanks
 
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  • #3
beans123 said:
What would the forces acting only on a passenger in a car going at constant speed on a level surface be? Of course, there would be weight and the reactive force acting on any passenger, but is there a horizontal net force? Or are there just the forces acting on the car and there are no horizontal forces acting on the passenger directly?
Thanks
Is this question for homework? Or a general question as you study Physics at school?
 
  • #4
This is just a general question based from a personal conversation I had.
 
  • #5
beans123 said:
This is just a general question based from a personal conversation I had.
Ok, in that case the question @BvU asked in post #2 is your starting point. What difference does it make? Newton’s second law may also be helpful.
 
  • #7
beans123 said:
The passengers wouldn't be accelerating since the car is at a constant speed which, of course, means there's no net force.
I agree. What about a follow-up question:
One of the passengers (unwisely) sticks his head out of the window and claims: I can clearly feel a net force ?

##\ ##
 
  • #8
beans123 said:
What would the forces acting only on a passenger in a car going at constant speed on a level surface be?
None.

It is the same answer for a passenger in a train going at 300 km/h or one in an airplane going at 750 km/h. It is also the same answer for a human being standing still at the equator while actually moving at 1670 km/h.
 

FAQ: Forces on a passenger in a car?

What is the force that keeps a passenger in a car moving forward?

The force that keeps a passenger in a car moving forward is the force of inertia. This is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. In the case of a car, the passenger will continue to move forward at a constant speed unless acted upon by an external force, such as the brakes.

How do seat belts protect passengers from the forces in a car?

Seat belts protect passengers from the forces in a car by exerting a force on the passenger in the opposite direction of the car's movement. This force helps to keep the passenger in their seat and prevents them from being thrown forward in the event of a sudden stop or collision.

What is the difference between acceleration and deceleration in terms of forces on a passenger in a car?

Acceleration and deceleration both refer to changes in the speed of a car, but they have opposite effects on the forces experienced by a passenger. Acceleration, or an increase in speed, will result in a passenger feeling pushed back into their seat. Deceleration, or a decrease in speed, will result in a passenger feeling pulled forward.

How do airbags help to reduce the forces on a passenger in a car during a collision?

Airbags help to reduce the forces on a passenger in a car during a collision by providing a cushion between the passenger and the hard surfaces of the car. When a car comes to a sudden stop, the airbag inflates and absorbs some of the force, reducing the impact on the passenger's body.

What is the relationship between the mass of a car and the forces experienced by passengers?

The mass of a car has a direct relationship with the forces experienced by passengers. The greater the mass of a car, the more force is required to change its state of motion. This means that a heavier car will generally result in passengers experiencing greater forces during acceleration, deceleration, and collisions.

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