The Physics in Car Collisions

This report/demonstration deals with some of the physics used in automobile accidents. By going over some basic physics, doing some simple demonstrations, and taking a closer look at accidents, one can see one of the many uses of kinematics, namely in car collisions. This project is intended for Gr. 11 or Gr. 12 Phyics students, although I'm sure modifications could be easily made to include a larger range of students. For the sake of time and simplicity, I have limited myself to linear collisions. By going through the following list in the order provided, one can start with some basic physics, learn some of the physics applied in accident recontruction by police officers, and see how physics is used at an accident scene.

• Some Basic Physics

• Some information about car accidents

• The Slide-to-Stop formula

• Stopping distances

• Demonstrations

• Tire friction

• Physics applied in a simple collision

• References

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