SCIENCE JOURNAL 2018

kept. It is also challenging to control a car in this position (QLD Government, 2013). Overall, supporting physics proves that driving slower minimises the possibility of harm. Technological Factors Through technology, our roads/car-safety has increased drastically. The airbag is a utility embedded into all modern cars. ‘They are designed to supplement seatbelt restraints and help distribute the load exerted in a human body during an accident to minimise the deceleration rate and likelihood of injury’ (Pearly Huffman, 2011), advocating that its role is to deploy when the car suddenly halts. Hitting airbags as opposed to steering-wheels/dashboards/ windshields reduces the chance of injury, and also slows the passengers’ momentum (caused by inertia). This physical notion is impulse – product of force and time. An object with 100 units-of-momentum must experience equal impulse to stop. [Appendix 5] exhibits various combinations of time and force that produce 100 units-of-impulse. This data proves, ‘the greater time over which the collision occurs, the smaller the force acting upon the object’ (The Physics Classroom, 2017). The link this establishes to airbags is; they increase the time for passengers to stop, thus decreasing the amount of force encountered. This is one of the many examples where physics minimises risks/prevents harm. Conclusion It is patent, through analysing road statistics/ data, and expounding on physical concepts behind roads, that speed has major implications in safety/harm-reduction of transport. By discussing environmental and technological factors, the influence and importance of physics in everyday life is illuminated. Finally, after evaluating data/evidence, numerous reasons for why speed is a key factor in our road statistics are proposed, thus justifying the claim, ‘Every K Over is a Killer’. Speeding is a crime that

puts the driver in jeopardy, together with everyone nearby. By driving just a little slower, who knows how many lives could be saved! Appendices Appendix 1 Appendices

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4

SC J SI

8

Somerset College Journal of Scientific Issues

Year 10