How can I investigate what happens to the occupants of a car when the car is in a collision in which it collides head on with a solid object (in my example, it will be a brick), and when a stationary car is hit from behind by a moving car.
What I am using:
Plasticine people
Small carts for cars
Ramps to accelerate the car
And other requested materials
Thank you very much to any one that can provide assistance, I am thinking about becoming an engineer and for me I have found that I ALWAYS learn best by example.
What I would like to know:
How can I construct my model and what should I use
How can I measure and record the damage to the car occupants in each crash
How can I fairly test the effect of increasing the speed of the moving car
How can I fairly test the effect of having my people wear seat belts (use rubber bands? any better ideas?)
How can I fairly test the effect of having a heavier vehicle crash into the rear of my test car (this one is pretty simple, just add some weight to the other cart)
How could I test having an air bag to protect the driver
I don't think your plastic people and small carts will fairly test the effects you seek. You would be better using larger "models", and real life force/impact sensors. These are really not so difficult to obtain, most schools even have these sensors as plug-ins to computers.
Thanks for the suggestion, however I have to complete it using small models with plasticine etc.
It doesn't need to be highly accurate, I just need something that can show a difference between the 2 types of crashes I suppose.
All good, can be closed
To investigate what happens to the occupants of a car in different collision scenarios, you can construct a model using plasticine people, small carts for cars, ramps, and other requested materials. Here's how you can proceed:
1. Model Construction: Use plasticine to create small figures representing the occupants of the car. Build small carts out of materials like cardboard or wood to simulate the vehicles involved in the collisions. Use ramps to accelerate the cars towards the collision point.
2. Measuring and Recording Damage: To measure and record the damage to the car occupants in each crash, you can observe and note any visible changes in the plasticine people after each collision. Look for deformations, breaks, or displacement of body parts or limbs.
3. Testing the Effect of Increasing Speed: To fairly test the effect of increasing the speed of the moving car, you can adjust the angle and length of the ramps to change the speed at which the cars collide. Keep the other variables constant, such as the weight of the cars and the distance between them.
4. Testing the Effect of Seat Belts: To test the effect of seat belts, you can use rubber bands or elastic materials to mimic seat belts for the plasticine occupants. Attach the rubber bands across their chests and waists to simulate the restraint system. Compare the damage to the occupants with and without the seat belts.
5. Testing the Effect of Heavier Vehicle Rear Impact: To test the effect of a heavier vehicle crashing into the rear of your test car, you can add weight to the back of the cart representing the moving car. Gradually increase the weight and record any differences in the damage to the occupants.
6. Testing the Effect of an Airbag: To test the effect of an airbag, you can create a small cushion-like structure using materials like cotton or sponge. Place it in front of the plasticine figure representing the driver, mimicking the position of an airbag. Observe and record any changes in the damage to the occupant with and without the airbag.
Remember to maintain consistency in your experiments by controlling other variables, such as the speed and angle of collision, the weight of the carts, and the distance between the objects. Additionally, always prioritize safety during your experiments and handle the materials carefully.