1. What is Force Of A Car Crash?

Definition: This calculator estimates the force experienced during a car crash based on the vehicle's mass, change in velocity, and duration of impact.

Purpose: It helps understand the physics of collisions and the forces involved in car accidents for safety analysis and engineering purposes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Force (Newtons)
• \( m \) — Mass of the vehicle (kg)
• \( \Delta v \) — Change in velocity (m/s)
• \( \Delta t \) — Duration of impact (seconds)

Explanation: The force is calculated by multiplying the mass by the change in velocity, then dividing by the time over which the change occurs.

3. Importance of Force Calculation

Details: Understanding crash forces helps in designing safer vehicles, evaluating safety equipment effectiveness, and analyzing accident severity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the vehicle mass in kg, velocity change in m/s (typically the speed before impact), and impact duration in seconds. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical impact duration in a car crash?
A: Most car crashes have impact durations between 0.1 to 0.2 seconds, depending on vehicle design and collision type.

Q2: How does this relate to G-forces experienced?
A: Divide the force by the vehicle's weight (mass × 9.81 m/s²) to get G-forces.

Q3: Why is impact time important?
A: Longer impact times reduce peak forces, which is why crumple zones improve safety.

Q4: How do I find the change in velocity?
A: Δv is typically the speed before impact minus the speed after (often zero in a full-stop collision).

Q5: What's the average mass of a car?
A: Compact cars weigh ~1200kg, midsize ~1500kg, and large SUVs can be 2000kg or more.