Compare designs that reduce the force in a collision
Grade 11 Science Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.
The same toy cart is stopped by a hard bumper in 0.05 s or a soft bumper in 0.2 s. How many times bigger is the hard bumper's average force, Ari?
The same toy cart is stopped by a hard bumper in 0.02 s or a soft bumper in 0.5 s. How many times bigger is the hard bumper's average force, Bo?
The same toy cart is stopped by a hard bumper in 0.1 s or a soft bumper in 0.3 s. How many times bigger is the hard bumper's average force, Esme?
Using the bumper table, does D's 15 N fit F = Δp ÷ Δt, Jun?
- Yes: 6 ÷ 0.4 = 15 N
- Yes: 0.4 × 6 = 15
- No: it should be 2.4 N
- No: it should be 60 N
Using the bumper table, why is spring bumper B's force 120 N instead of 6 ÷ 0.1 = 60 N, Kira?
Use the picture in question 4.
- The table is wrong
- The cart is heavier with B
- Springs add their own energy
- The bounce doubles Δp to 12 kg·m/s
Using the bumper table, foam bumper A is tried on a 4 kg cart at 3 m/s with the same 0.2 s stop. Does it still meet the 50 N limit, Luz?
Use the picture in question 4.
- Yes: it stays 30 N
- No: the force becomes 600 N
- Yes: it drops to 15 N
- No: the force becomes 60 N
Milo says a stiffer bumper that stops carts faster is gentler. Agree or disagree?
- Agree: bouncing back is gentler too
- Disagree: a faster stop means a bigger force
- Agree: the lightest bumper wins
- Agree: quicker stops are gentler
Pia says the best bumper is the one with the lowest force, whatever its mass. Agree or disagree?
- Agree: a bounce would be even better
- Agree: and a quick stop lowers force
- Agree: force alone decides it
- Disagree: it must meet the mass limit too
How could Ren improve foam bumper A to lower its force while staying under 100 g?
- Replace it with wood
- Make it from a heavier, thicker block
- Add a spring so it bounces
- Use a softer foam of the same mass
After redesigning a bumper, what should Zee do next?
- Test it the same way and compare
- Assume it works
- Test it on a faster cart instead
- Change the limits