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Category Physics & Science

Mass (kg)

Velocity (m/s) approx 54 km/h

Stop Distance (m)

Impact Force 0 Newtons (N)

Kinetic Energy 0 Joules (J)

Survivability Scale

Safe Injury Fatal

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About

Impact force determines the destructiveness of a collision. It is governed by the speed of the object, its mass, and crucially, the distance or time over which the stop occurs. Crumple zones in cars extend this stopping distance, significantly reducing the average force and G-load on occupants.

This tool calculates the average impact force using the Work-Energy Principle. It assumes a constant deceleration. The "Danger Level" visualizer compares the calculated G-force against human tolerance limits (approx. 50G for severe injury, 75G+ for fatality).

Formulas

Kinetic Energy (E_k):

E_k = 12 m v²

Average Force (F) over distance (d):

F = E_kd

G-Force (g) where g₀ is gravity (9.81 m/s²):

G = Fm ⋅ g₀

Reference Data

Scenario	Approx. G-Force	Impact Type
Sneeze	2.9 g	Biological
Space Shuttle Launch	3 g	Controlled
F1 Car Braking	5-6 g	Controlled
Car Crash (30mph to 0 in 1ft)	30 g	Severe
Human Concussion Threshold	60-100 g	Injury
Death (Instantaneous)	> 100 g	Fatal

Frequently Asked Questions

Energy cannot be destroyed, only transferred. If a moving car has 100,000 Joules of energy, that energy must be dissipated to stop it. Doing this over 1 meter requires a massive force. Doing it over 10 meters requires 1/10th of that force.

This tool calculates Average Force. In real collisions, force fluctuates, often spiking higher (Peak Force) at the beginning of impact. Peak force is usually 2x the average in simple spring models.

It depends on duration. Humans can survive 50G for a fraction of a second (like a slap or hard landing), but sustained 50G causes internal organ damage. Car crashes typically involve durations of 100-200 milliseconds.