Why is wearing a seatbelt important when traveling in a fast-moving car?
ASeatbelts heat the body
BSeatbelts increase comfort during normal driving
CSeatbelts make the car look nicer
DIn a sudden stop or crash, your body retains its forward velocity due to inertia — without restraint, you would continue forward at the original speed and slam into the dashboard. The seatbelt applies a controlled forward force that decelerates you with the car.
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. In a sudden stop or crash, your body retains its forward velocity due to inertia — without restraint, you would continue forward at the original speed and slam into the dashboard. The seatbelt applies a controlled forward force that decelerates you with the car.
Newton's first law: without external force, your body continues at the car's previous velocity even when the car brakes/crashes. A seatbelt provides the external force needed to decelerate you with the car (over a longer time, reducing impact force). Studies show seatbelts cut fatality risk in vehicle crashes by ~50%. This is a vivid life-or-death application of inertia.
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