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Chapter 3: Problem 40

When riding in a car, we can sense changes in speed or direction through the forces that the car applies on us. Do we wear seat belts in cars and airplanes to protect us from speed or from acceleration? Explain your answer.

Short Answer

Expert verified
We wear seat belts to protect us from acceleration, which includes changes in speed or direction.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Forces Acting on a Human Body in Motion

When a vehicle changes speed or direction, it accelerates. According to Newton's First Law of Motion, an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force. Our bodies tend to follow this law while the vehicle changes speed or direction.
02

Define Acceleration and Its Effects

Acceleration refers to any change in the velocity of an object, including changes in both speed and direction. When a vehicle accelerates, it applies a force on its passengers. This force can cause the passengers to move in the opposite direction if unrestrained.
03

The Role of Seat Belts

Seat belts apply a force on our bodies to counteract the force due to acceleration. This keeps passengers securely in their seats, preventing injury by reducing the risk of collision with the interior of the vehicle during sudden stops, starts, or changes in direction.
04

Answer the Question

We wear seat belts in cars and airplanes to protect us from the effects of acceleration, which are due to changes in speed or direction.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Newton's First Law of Motion
Newton's First Law of Motion is also known as the law of inertia. It states that an object will stay at rest, or continue to move at a constant speed in a straight line, unless a force acts upon it. This is why you feel forces acting on you when a vehicle speeds up, slows down, or turns. Your body wants to keep moving in the same way it was before, but the car forces you to change direction or speed. This is why seat belts are essential. They provide the external force needed to slow you down at the same rate as the car, preventing injuries.
Acceleration Effects
Acceleration is all about changes in speed or direction. In physics, it doesn't just mean speeding up; it can also mean slowing down or changing direction. When a vehicle accelerates, it creates forces that act on everything inside it, including you. Without a seat belt, these forces can throw you around, causing injuries. A sudden stop can cause you to keep moving forward, and a quick turn can make you slide sideways. Seat belts help by applying the necessary force to keep you in place, reducing the risk of injury from such sudden movements.
  • Acceleration = change in velocity (speed and/or direction) over time
  • Forces from acceleration can move us within a vehicle if unrestrained
  • Seat belts counteract these forces to keep us safely in place
Force and Motion
Force and motion are deeply connected. A force is any interaction that, when unopposed, changes the motion of an object. According to Newton's laws, forces cause changes in the motion of objects. When you are in a car, the force from the engine changes the car's motion, and consequently, your motion. If the car suddenly stops, turns sharply, or accelerates quickly, your body wants to keep going in the direction it was originally moving due to inertia.
  • Without a seat belt, the forces from these changes in motion can cause injuries
  • Seat belts apply a force in the opposite direction to keep you safely secured
  • This alignment of forces helps you decelerate or turn with the vehicle

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