An investigation into car safety features

1. Devise an experiment for testing safety features of cars which can be carried out in the classroom
2. Get a clear set of results which are accurate
3. Work out what the results mean, and conclude on weather the safety feature is effective in a crash.

Limits to the investigation

In planning this investigation there are going to be certain limits that I am going to have to stick to. The most obvious is that I do not have access to the high tech equipment, which the main testers use. Another is that the experiments will have to be carried out in the classroom, meaning I will not be able to use a life-size car, which I also can’t afford. The final limit is that I only have a short time for testing, which means I will have to devise a quick and easy experiment so that I will be able to complete the exercise.    

Research

To be able to complete the investigation I will have to do some research on how the safety features work. To do this I will use different sources of information.

1. Text Books
2. The internet
3. Car Companies
4. Newspaper Reports

A web site, which I found, very useful was  this told me how crash testing works and about airbags (see appendix).

Experiment

Diagram

The ultrasound motion sensor measures the time for the ultrasound to travel to the target on the vehicle and return.

A graph of distance against time will be shown on the computer monitor. The computer will then calculate velocity values and display a velocity time graph. From this graph record

1. The velocity of the car just before it hits the airbag
2. The (average) deceleration of the car caused by the airbag

Method

• Set up apparatus as shown in the diagram
• Place the vehicle at the top of the ramp
• Press the record button on the computer
• Let the vehicle go
• When it has stopped stop the recording on the computer
• Read the result and put in the result in to the table.

• Repeat the experiment using various velocities and different amounts of volume of air in the airbag

Problems

 

Results

From the results a have acquired I can now do further calculations to find out the forces and velocity of the vehicle.

FORCE

F=MA

 

Velocity

To find the velocity form my results I need a formula:

Loss in PE = gain in KE

Mgh =  mv2

Gravity= 9.81

Conclusion

From the results and graphs from the experiment you can see how the use of an airbag certainly puts less force onto the driver’s body therefore there being less chance of an injury or even death. Also the airbag will increase the time the person will need to be brought to a stop and decreasing the pressure on the body again. The important thing about a car safety feature is to protect/cushion the person who is involved in the accident. My experiments have showed that the airbag is a successful safety device which has saved lives and should be introduced into all cars