In a car collision, an airbag deploys with zero delay and the front passenger experienced an impact for 0.15 seconds. the 100 kg passenger changes from a velocity of 25 m/s to zero in that same time period. what force does the passenger experience?

There are two methods we can use to solve this problem. One method is to use definition of impulse. The other method is to use kinematics to calculate the acceleration, then Newton's second law to calculate the net force.

Using definition of impulse, we can say that the average force (F) times the change in time (Δt) is equal to the change in momentum (Δp). Momentum is equal to mass (m) times velocity (v). Since the mass is constant, we can say the change in momentum is equal to the mass times the change in velocity (Δp = mΔv). Therefore:

FΔt = Δp

FΔt = mΔv

F (0.15 s) = (100 kg) (0 m/s − 25 m/s)

F = -16,667 N

Alternatively, we can use kinematics to solve for acceleration. Acceleration (a) is the change in velocity (Δv) over change in time (Δt).

a = Δv / Δt

a = (0 m/s − 25 m/s) / 0.15 s

a = -167 m/s²

Next, Newton's second law says that the net force (F) on an object is equal to its mass (m) times its acceleration (a).

F = ma

F = (100 kg) (-167 m/s²)

F = -16,667 N

The magnitude of the force on the passenger is 16,667 N.