Newton's Laws in Cars

Name:

Date:

📚 Part 1: Concepts & Quick Checks

1. Which safety feature directly prevents a passenger from continuing forward motion during a sudden stop?

Airbags

Seatbelt

Crumple zone

Horn

2. According to Newton’s second law (F = ma): if the net force on a car stays the same but its mass doubles, the acceleration will:

Double

Halve

Stay the same

Become zero

3. Check all features that help increase the time over which a passenger slows down in a crash (reducing peak force):

Airbags

Crumple zones

Seatbelts

Tyre tread depth

4. Match each Newton’s law with the automotive example that best illustrates it.

A. Newton's First Law (Inertia)

B. Newton's Second Law (F = ma)

C. Newton's Third Law (Action–Reaction)

1. Airbag inflates to extend stopping time for the head

2. Passenger lurches forward when a car stops suddenly without a seatbelt

3. Crumple zone deforms and the barrier pushes back on the car

✏️ Part 2: Short Answers, Calculation & Design

5. In one sentence, explain how a seatbelt demonstrates Newton’s First Law.

6. Explain briefly how airbags make use of Newton’s Second Law to reduce injury during a crash.

7. Calculation (show working): A 1500 kg car travelling at 20 m/s comes to a stop in 0.5 s during a collision. (a) Calculate the average acceleration. (b) Calculate the average force exerted on the car. Give units.

8. Group design task (draw and label): Sketch a simple model car showing a crumple zone, a seatbelt and an airbag. For each labelled feature write one short line explaining which Newton's law it demonstrates and how.