Final answer:
In a car collision, drivers and passengers hit the steering wheel, instrument panel, or windshield when unrestrained. Using the impulse-momentum theorem, the force experienced can be calculated, with airbags and crumple zones extending collision time and reducing force.
Step-by-step explanation:
Drivers and passengers hit the steering wheel, instrument panel, or windshield during a car collision when they are not restrained by seatbelts or protected by an airbag. The force experienced during a collision can be calculated using the impulse-momentum theorem, which states that the impulse on an object is equal to the change in its momentum. The formula for impulse is force times time (F × t = Δp), which allows us to find the average force exerted on a driver during a collision based on the collision time and the change in momentum.
A simple example using a hypothetical collision at 35 miles per hour and a collision time of 0.20 seconds would allow us to calculate the force experienced by the driver. With crumple zones and other safety features, the collision time is increased, reducing the force experienced by the driver and passengers. In a more realistic scenario, where the car has safety features like airbags, the collision time is extended, thereby reducing the average force on the driver and potentially preventing serious injuries.