Cars are designed so that their bodies buckle (permanently deform) when they are in an accident. How does the buckling make the car safer by not allowing it to recoil (bounce) so much?
A) The buckling stores energy.
B) The buckling dissipates the energy of the crash.
C) The buckling provides energy to the crashing objects.
D) The buckling gives the car a high coefficient of restitution.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The buckling of a car's body during an accident dissipates the energy of the crash, reducing the force transmitted to the occupants and thereby increasing safety. This process converts kinetic energy into other forms of energy, such as sound and heat, rather than allowing it to be reflected back as a bounce or recoil, which could cause further injury.

Cars Are Designed So That Their Bodies Buckle (Permanently Deform)