Final answer:
Seat belts can increase a motorist's chance of surviving a crash by approximately 50%. Crumple zones in cars increase safety by extending the time of impact, further protecting passengers. Calculations of force exerted by seat belts during a crash illustrate their vital role in passenger safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Seat belts significantly increase a motorist's chance of surviving a crash. While it's not possible to guarantee 100% safety, seat belts are incredibly effective in providing protection. Based on various studies and data collected over the years, wearing a seat belt can improve motorists' chances of surviving by approximately 50% (Option b). This is a substantial increase in safety and illustrates the importance of using seat belts at all times when driving or riding in a vehicle.
When vehicles are designed with crumple zones, it helps protect the passengers by increasing the time of impact (Option a), which in turn, decreases the forces experienced by the occupants during a crash. This technology, in combination with seat belts, significantly reduces the risk of injury.
In the calculation of the force exerted by a seat belt on a passenger, we can utilize the example of a car crashing into a tree at 10 m/s, coming to a stop in 0.26 seconds with a passenger mass of 70 kg. Using the formula F = ma, where acceleration (a) can be derived from the change in velocity over time, the force can be calculated, highlighting the role of the seat belt in reducing the force impact on the passenger.