1. What is Impact Force in Car Crashes?

The impact force in a car crash is the average force exerted during the collision as the vehicle comes to a stop. It depends on the vehicle's mass, velocity at impact, and the distance over which the stopping occurs.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the impact force equation:

Where:

• \( F \) — Impact force (Newtons)
• \( m \) — Mass of the vehicle (kg)
• \( v \) — Velocity at impact (m/s)
• \( d \) — Stopping distance (m)

Explanation: The equation shows that impact force increases with the square of velocity and decreases with stopping distance.

3. Importance of Impact Force Calculation

Details: Calculating impact force helps understand crash severity, design safer vehicles, and evaluate safety equipment effectiveness.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kg, velocity in m/s, and stopping distance in meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does speed affect impact force?
A: Impact force increases with the square of speed - doubling speed quadruples the impact force.

Q2: Why is stopping distance important?
A: Longer stopping distances (crumple zones) reduce impact force by spreading the deceleration over more time/distance.

Q3: How does this relate to g-forces?
A: Divide impact force by weight (mass × 9.81 m/s²) to estimate g-forces experienced during the crash.

Q4: What are typical impact forces in car crashes?
A: Varies greatly - a 30 mph crash might produce 20-50g, while high-speed crashes can exceed 100g.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides average force - actual forces vary during the crash and depend on many factors like collision angle and vehicle design.