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lighter is safer in certain cases
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Posted by jeff in MD (more from jeff in MD) on Tue, 27 Dec 2005 10:41:19 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: kinetic energy scales by mass, BrianG, Fri, 23 Dec 2005 11:22:30
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If you're crashing into an immovable object, a lighter vehicle could be safer if other factors are held constant. However, when cars are crashing together, conservation of momentum takes over. A simplified model, assuming it's a head-on collision, that they "stick" together, and that they don't lose energy to crumpling, a 3,500 lb 9-5 and a 1,600 lb Smart, each travelling 40 mph, will immediately after the collision be traveling in the direction the 9-5 was going at 13 mph. So the Saab will decelerate 22 mph, while the Smart will decelerate to zero, then accelerate backwards to 13 mph, for a total change in velocity of 48 mph. All in a split second. Taking out those simplifications would result in a lower final velocity, but the point is clear. I'd rather be in the Saab ;)

There's no doubt that the Smart car is cleverly designed, and as micro cars go probably quite safe. But no one should be fooled into thinking that it's as safe as a well designed larger car. It ain't.

jeff

ps. I'm a motorcyclist, and I'm sure a Smart car driver would fare pretty well in a head on collision with me and my bike ;)

posted by 192.5.27...

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