Question

A 50.0 kg driver is riding at 35.0 m/s in her red sports car when she must suddenly slam on the brakes to avoid
hitting a deer crossing the road. She strikes the air bag, which brings her body to a stop in 0.500 s.
What average force does the seat belt exert on her?

Answer 1

Answer:

3500N

Explanation:

Given parameters:

Mass of driver  = 50kg

Speed  = 35m/s

Time  = 0.5s

Unknown:

Average force the seat belt exerts on her = ?

Solution:

The average force the seat belt exerts on her can be deduced from Newton's second law of motion.

   F = mass x acceleration

So;

     F  = mass x  $\frac{change in velocity }{time}$

  F  = 50 x $\frac{35}{0.5}$    = 3500N