5.3.23

Dangers of Large Decelerations

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Dangers of Large Decelerations

The greater the braking force, the greater the deceleration of the vehicle. Large decelerations can cause brakes to overheat and/or the car to skid. A larger deceleration will transfer more stopping force to passengers. This harms passengers. Compare these situations:

Illustrative background for Traffic lightsIllustrative background for Traffic lights ?? "content

Traffic lights

  • When a typical family car decelerates at a set of traffic lights, only a small force is exerted on (applied to) the passengers.
  • This is because the deceleration happens over a long period of time.
  • The force should not be enough to harm the passengers.
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Emergency stop

  • When a typical family car suddenly stops on the road to avoid a collision, a greater force is exerted on (applied to) the passengers.
  • This is because the deceleration happens over a shorter period of time.
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Crash

  • When a typical family car suddenly is stopped by a crash, an even greater force is applied to the passengers than the last example.
  • This is because the deceleration happens in even less time.
  • This could harm passengers.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.2Forces

5.3Effects of Forces

5.4Pressure

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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