Question

A driver is transporting a watermelon in the back seat of a car traveling at a speed of 87 km per hour. The watermelon has a mass of approximately 3.5 kg. A deer standing in the roadway causes the driver to come to a sudden stop. The watermelon crashes into the back of the front seat with great force. Which of Newton's laws best explains why it is safer to wear your seatbelt and to tie down or buckle in any objects being transported in a vehicle?

1) Newton's First Law
2) Newton's Second Law
3) Newton's Third Law
4) None of the above

Answer 1

Newton's First Law of Motion explains why the watermelon moves forward and crashes when the car stops suddenly, highlighting the importance of wearing a seatbelt and securing objects during travel.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phenomenon where the watermelon crashes into the back of the front seat when the car comes to a sudden stop is best explained by Newton's First Law of Motion. This law states that every object will continue to be in a state of rest or move at a constant speed in a straight line unless it is compelled to change by an outside force. In the context of the scenario, the watermelon keeps moving forward due to its inertia until an external force, such as the seat or the dashboard, causes it to stop. This illustrates why it is safer to wear your seatbelt and secure objects while in a vehicle, as the seatbelt acts as that external force to stop you in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of injury.