When an automobile crashes, the kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted to he

Question

When an automobile crashes, the kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted to heat, crushed metal, injury, and death. From what you have seen (in real life and in movies), consider two crashes, one at 35 mph, and another at 70 mph. Is it plausible that a crash of the faster automobile is 4 times worse? What other factors besides speed could affect the outcome of the crash? Airplane velocities are typically 600 mph except during take-off and landing, when they are closer to 150 mph. Does the kinetic equation explain why there are few survivors in an airplane crash?

Explanation / Answer

E = 1/mv^2

So when a car crashes energy dissipated is directly proportional to square of velocity

since velocity of faster car crashed is 2 times so Energy dissipated during crash will be 4 times.

So It do carries 4 times more energy as compared to slower car.

But there are other factors which also determines severity of crash like reaction distance. This means that if driver of car predicts beforehand that there will be a crash he can escape with less injuries even in high speeds

Also if car with higher speed crashes onto something which is more elastic and transfer energy to itself might inflict less damage as compared to slower car hitting hard surface.

So it is plausible that a crash of the faster automobile is 4 times worse but it is not neccesary that it will always be 4 times worse

Hope that helps :)

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