Chapter 2.

8 Gravity

Safety Features in Vehicles

1. Crumble Zone

The crumple zone increases the reaction time of collision during an accident.
This causes the impulsive force to be reduced and hence reduces the risk of
injuries.

2. Seat Belt

Prevent the driver and passengers from being flung forward or thrown out of
the car during an emergency break.

3. Airbag

Chapter 2.8 Gravity

The inflated airbag during an accident acts as a cushion to lessen the impact
when the driver flings forward hitting the steering wheel or dashboard.

4. Head Rest

Reduce neck injury when driver and passengers are thrown backwards when
the car is banged from backward.

5. Windscreen

Shatter-proof glass is used so that it will not break into small pieces when
broken. This may reduce injuries caused by scattered glass.

Chapter 2.8 Gravity

6. Padded Dashboard

Cover with soft material. This may increases the reaction time and hence
reduce the impulsive force when passenger knocking on it in accident.

7. Collapsible Steering Columns

The steering will swing away from drivers chest during collision. This may
reduce the impulsive force acting on the driver.

8. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Chapter 2.8 Gravity

Prevent the wheels from locking when brake applied suddenly by adjusting the
pressure of the brake fluid. This can prevents the car from skidding.

9. Bumper

Made of elastic material so that it can increases the reaction time and hence
reduces the impulsive force caused by collision.

10.Passenger Safety Cell

The body of the car is made from strong, rigid stell cage.
This may prevent the car from collapsing on the passengers during a car crash.

Chapter 2.8 Gravity

Gravitational Field

A gravitational field as a region in which an object experiences a

force due to gravitational attraction.
Gravitational Field Strength

1.

The gravitational field strength at a point in the gravitational

field is the gravitational force acting on a mass of 1 kg placed at
that point.

2.

The unit of gravitational field strength is N/kg.

3. The gravitational field strength is denoted by the symbol

F=Force acted on an object

m = mass of the object.
g = gravitational field strength
Gravitational Acceleration

1.

The gravitational acceleration is the acceleration of an object

due to the pull of the gravitational force.

2.

The unit of gravitational acceleration is ms-2

3.

Gravitational acceleration is also denoted by the symbol "g".

1.

note: Gravitational Field Strength vs. Gravitational Acceleration

Both the gravitational field strength and gravitational

acceleration have the symbol, g and the same value (10ms-2) on
the surface of the earth.
2.
When considering a body falling freely, the g is the
gravitational acceleration.
3.
When considering objects at rest, g is the Earths
gravitational field strength acting on it.

Chapter 2.8 Gravity

Weight

Mass

Depends on the gravitational field

strength

Independent from the gravitational field

strength

Vector quantity

Scalar Quantity

Unit Newton (N)

Unit: Kilogram (kg)

Weight

1.

The weight of an object is defined as the gravitational force

acting on the object.

2.

The SI unit of weight is Newton (N)

Chapter 2.8 Gravity

Free Falling
1.
Free falling is a motion under force of gravity as the only force acting
on the moving object.
2.

Practically, free falling can only take place in vacuum.

Free Falling 1 - Falling from High Place

When an object is released

from a high place,
its initial velocity, u = 0.

1.
2.

its acceleration is equal to

the gravitational
acceleration, g, which taken
to be 10ms-2 in SPM.

3.

the displacement is the of

the object when it reaches
the ground is equal to the
initial height of the object,
h.
Case of Free Falling 2 - Launching Object Upward

If an object is launched up
vertically,
the acceleration = -g (-10ms2
)

1.
2.

the velocity become zero

when the object reaches the
highest point.

3.

the displacement of the object

at highest point is equal to the
vertical height of object, h

4.

the time taken for the object

to move to the maximum height = the time taken for the object to fall from
the maximum point to its initial position.

Chapter 2.8 Gravity

Chapter 2.8 Gravity