Crash test dummy

Crash test dummy
Type of Resource: Presentation slides

This resource looks at the concepts of collisions and momentum.

The online resource is an entertaining student presentation including slides, two videos and a short experiment that focuses on the physics concepts of collisions and the role of crumple zones.

The video shows the equations involved with momentum and impulse to reduce force through crumple zones. Also a short experiment of a collision between a car and a wall, with and without a crumple zone, is shown and the difference in force is calculated and explained.

Another short video shows a humorous demonstration of the use of seat belts.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S10U05 (Year 10)

Additional Information

Allow 5–10 minutes for the presentation and 2 videos, approx. 20 mins for class discussion, and longer if students are tasked with creating their own crumple zone on the front of a dynamics trolley that would help to keep their own ‘Ollie’ (the crash test dummy in the first video) unharmed when tested.

Australian Curriculum:
  • Year 10 > Science Understanding > Physical Sciences > The motion of objects can be described and predicted using the laws of physics > ACSSU229
  • Year Senior Secondary > Science Understanding > Physical Sciences