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According to newton's law how does a car headrest help to guard against whiplash in a rearend collision?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. When something hits you from behind that is travelling even slightly faster then you, the energy comming from all of the 4000lbs in motion that hit you is transfered into your car. Your car lurches forward transfering some of that energy into your body. A body at rest stays at rest. Your head was stationary until your body lurched forward with the rest of your car. Your head has to catch up to the rest of your body and you end up damaging the soft tissue in and around your head neck and shoulders. Get hit hard enough and you can break your neck. If your head is against the head rest, the head rest will move your head forward at the same time as the rest of your body is moved forward by the seat. This will keep your head from snapping backwards.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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How does a car headrest help to guard against whiplash in a rear-end collision?
Whiplash is an injury that often happens in automobile accidents. The headrest helps to keep a persons head from going too far back.
What type of collision causes your head to press against the headrest?
A rear end collision will cause your head to press against the headrest. You might also be pressed forward during this type of collision, but the first movement is against the headrest.
How do headrests help against rear end shunts?
The headrest prevents the head from being thrown backwards (and damaging the neck) - and injury called whiplash, when a vehicle is hit from the rear.
Why does whiplash occur more in rear end collisions than head on collisions?
In read end collisions the car is jolted forward, thus the head and neck and thrusted forward, damaging the musculature, tendons and ligaments. In a head on collision, the car is suddenly halted thrusting the head backwards against the headrest, which prevents over extension of the head and neck.
Does airbags prevent whip lash?
Whiplash is caused by the head being jerked backwards. So an airbag will not help. But your head rest will help greatly. The headrest should fit against the rearmost part of the head, not the neck. Your head should normally be in contact with it in your driving. Believe me you do not want whiplash.
What are headrests in the car for?
They are to rest your head against so that the neck muscles do not have to support the head in the forward looking position all the time. This is obviously important for the driver. Also, in the case of a shunt, the headrest will minimise whiplash injury be preventing the head from being pushed back.
Does car size correlate to car safety?
not really. if you have efficient crumple zones and air bags, you will be safer. the crumple zones take away the force of the collision, and the air bags help you to not get whiplash or brain yourself against the dashboard.
What does Liability insurance protect you against?
claims if you are at fault in a collision.
How do you remove the headrest on a 2003 Chevrolet truck?
Raise the headrest as high as it will go. At the base of the 2 metal rods that connect the headrest to the seat are small plastic pieces that cover the mechanism that locks the headrest to the seat. On the side of these plastic pieces there is a small hole. On all trucks I have dealt with, the hole was facing the passenger side of the truck. Using gentle pressure on the headrest, raising it upwards, insert a small stiff wire (a straightened out paperclip works, but a stiffer wire is better) into the hole, and push against the catch inside this piece. You can feel the headrest give a bit, and raise up on the side you are working on. Repeat the process on the other side, however, if you relax pressure the headrest can slip back into the locking mechanism. It takes practice to make for a quick removal, but it is not difficult. Just have to push up on headrest and in on release at the same time. If you need to re-install the headrest, if you place the headrest in backwards (face the notches towards the drivers side of the truck) when you need to remove it, it will slide right out. Hope this helps
What are Four different collision scenarios of conservation of momentum?
Elastic collision: objects bound against each other after the collision. - One is moving and the other is at rest. - Both objects are moving. Inelastic collision: objects stick together after the collision. - One is moving and the other is at rest. - Both objects are moving.
What is first line of defense against a deadly collision?
Wearing your seat belt. ^ um, no
What is the first line of defense against a deadly collision?
Wearing your seat belt. ^ um, no
