How many pounds of pressure does a 25 pound baby weigh in a head on collision when the car is traveling at 25 miles per hour. (and hits a stationary object)
The assignment is to research car crash scenarios but I don't know a formula to figure this out.
To determine the amount of pressure exerted on a 25-pound baby during a head-on collision, we need to calculate the force of the impact first. The force can be calculated using Newton's second law of motion, which states that force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration.
In this scenario, the mass of the baby remains constant at 25 pounds. However, we need to convert the acceleration from velocity into an appropriate unit. To do this, we'll use the conversion factor of 1 mile per hour (mph) = 1.47 feet per second (fps) approximately.
Given that the car is traveling at 25 mph, we can calculate the acceleration using the formula: acceleration = (velocity final - velocity initial) / time.
Since the car is colliding with a stationary object, the final velocity will be 0 mph. Assuming the collision takes place over an extremely short period, we can consider the time to be close to 0 as well. Thus, we can simplify the formula to: acceleration = velocity final / time.
Now, let's proceed with the calculations:
1. Convert the velocity from mph to fps: 25 mph * 1.47 fps = 36.75 fps (approximately).
2. Calculate the acceleration: 36.75 fps / 0 seconds (approximately). Since the time is nearly 0 during a hypothetical instant collision, the acceleration becomes infinite.
3. Use Newton's second law of motion: force = mass * acceleration. Here, force = 25 pounds * infinite.
4. Since infinity is not a meaningful value for force, we cannot determine the exact amount of pressure exerted on the baby in this hypothetical scenario.
However, it is important to note that a car crash involving a stationary object at 25 mph would probably cause severe injuries or worse to an infant. The exact force and pressure exerted will depend on various factors, including the car's deceleration rate, the design of the car's safety features, and the object's composition.
Please remember that it is essential to prioritize safety and ensure that children are properly restrained in age-appropriate car seats when traveling in vehicles.