Natural Laws Review
Inertia
The tendency of an object to resist a change in motion; keeps a parked car parked
Momentum
The tendency of an object to stay in motion or the inertia of an object in motion
3 collisions that could occur in a crash
Vehicle against another object, driver against windshield, drivers organs against skeleton
3 factors that affect the force of impact
Vehicle speed, weight, and distance between stopping and impact
Passive Restraint Device
a restraint device that works automatically (ex air bags)
Active Restraint Device
a restraint device you must engage (ex seat belts)
What are 4 factors that affect a car going into a curve?
Sharpness of curve, speed, load (weight), and shape of road
centrifugal force
a force that keeps your car moving in a straight line
Blowout
all of the air in a tire escapes at once
Restraint Device
any part of a vehicle that holds an occupant in place during a crash
Energy-Absorbing Bumpers
bumpers designed to absorb low levels of impact without damage
Overinflation
causes a tire where only the center grips the road
Underinflation
causes a tire where only the outer edges provide traction
3 factors that affect a person's reaction time
distractions, sleepiness, drugs/alcohal
Tread
grooved surface of a tire. removes water from tires' footprint to avoid hydroplaning
Energy of Motion
kinetic energy; proportionate to the weight of the vehicle
Head Restraints
padded headrests on the top of seats designed to protect against whiplash injuries
Side-Impact Panels
reinforced panels on the sides of a vehicle that can absorb crash energy
6 factors that affect a vehicle's braking distance
speed, weight, vehicle condition, roadway services, braking system , and hills
Traction
the adhesive or holding quality of friction -the gripping action
Total Stopping Distance
the distance your car travels from the time you first perceive a hazard until you reach a full stop
Perception Distance
the distance your vehicle travels during your perception time
Braking Distance
the distance your vehicle travels from the time you apply the brake until you stop
Reaction Distance
the distance your vehicle travels while you react
Vehicle Balance
the distribution of a vehicle's weight on its tires as they contact the road
Gravity
the force that pulls all things to Earth
Force of Impact
the force with which a moving object hits another object
Crush Zones
the front and rear ends of a vehicle designed to crumple during a collision
Perception Time
the length of time it takes you to identify a hazard, predict a conflict, and decide to brake
Reaction Time
the length of time you take to apply the brake
Center of Gravity
the point around which an object's weight is evenly distributed
Friction
the resistance to motion of one surface over or against another (vehicle speed goes up so _________ goes down)
banked curve
when a turn in the road is designed to be higher on one side than the other
Penetration-Resistant Panels
windshields made with a thin layer of plastic between two layers of glass