Question

In one or more complete sentences, explain how natural laws apply to the following scenarios: How does inertia affect a person who is not wearing a seatbelt during a collision? How does kinetic energy affect the stopping distance of a vehicle traveling at 30 mph compared to the same vehicle traveling at 60 mph? How does kinetic energy affect the stopping distance of a small vehicle compared to a large vehicle? Keeping in mind the kinetic energy of a moving vehicle, how can a driver best prepare to enter sharp curves in the roadway? Using information about natural laws, explain why some car crashes produce minor injuries and others produce catastrophic injuries

Answer 1

 A person not wearing a seat belt will keep moving forward if the vehicle stops suddenly due to inertia or the conservation of momentum which continues the forward movement of the car in the person. A vehicle travelling at 60 mph will have more kinetic energy than one travelling at 30 mph  so will have a longer stopping distance. A larger vehicle having more weight will have a longer stopping distance than a small or lighter vehicle. Entering sharp curves should be done by reducing the velocity to counteract the centrifugal force of going around the curve. Minor injuries are most often happening at low speeds and with seat belt protection whereas catatstrophic injuries can be say when a car rolls over or hits say a semi-trailer with a lot of weight and momentum.