Which of the following best describes why the occupants of a vehicle moving at 50 miles per hour will be injured when the vehicle strikes a tree, but not when it brakes to a stop?
A) Braking allows the kinetic energy to be absorbed evenly into the frame of the vehicle, rather than concentrating it at the point of impact.
B) The energy gradually dissipates as heat due to the friction of braking, rather than transferring to the vehicle and its occupants.
C) The inertia of the tree increases the kinetic energy transmitted to the occupants by a factor of 10.
D) None of the above describes why.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Braking allows the vehicle to gradually slow down, dissipating kinetic energy as heat through friction, reducing the force experienced by the occupants. In contrast, a sudden stop from hitting a tree transfers the kinetic energy abruptly to the vehicle and its occupants, causing injury.

Which of the Following Best Describes Why the Occupants of a Vehicle