Question

A car travelling 85km/h strikes a tree. The front end compresses and the driver comes to rest after travelling 0.80m. What was the average acceleration of the driver during the collision?

Answer 1

The average acceleration of the driver during the collision is
`-348.4(m)/(s^(2))`

Step-by-step explanation:

Initial speed of car ,
`u=85(km)/(h)=(85* 5)/(18)(m)/(s)`

=>
`u=23.61(m)/(s)`

Finally the car comes to rest .

Therefore final speed of the car ,
`v=0(m)/(s)`

Distance traveled while coming to rest , s = 0.80 m

Using equation of motion

`v^(2)=u^(2)+2as`

=>
`0^(2)=23.61^(2)+2* 0.80* a`

=>
`a=-348.4(m)/(s^(2))`

Thus the average acceleration of the driver during the collision is
`-348.4(m)/(s^(2))`