Question

A car traveling at 20 m/s runs into a bridge abutment and crumples for 1.2 m before coming to a full stop. If we estimate the process as constant deceleration motion, what is the average force exerted on the car, which weighs 1500 kg, during the collision process

Answer 1

Answer:

Average force exerted on car = 250,000 N or 250 KN

Explanation:

Given:

Initial speed u = 20 m/s

Final speed v = 0 m/s

Total distance covered = 1.2 m

Find:

Average force exerted on car

Computation:

v² = u² + 2as

0² = 20² + 2(a)(1.2)

a = -166.67 m/s² or 166.67 m/s²

Average force exerted on car = Ma

Average force exerted on car = (1,500)(166.67)

Average force exerted on car = 250,000 N or 250 KN