Collision Force Minimizer

HS-PS2-3: Minimizing Force During a Collision

Apply scientific and engineering ideas to design, evaluate, and refine a device that minimizes the force on a macroscopic object during a collision.

Engineering Controls

Drop Height (m): 5.0

Payload Mass (kg): 0.1

Cushion Material (Stiffness)

Cushion Thickness (m): 0.2

If compression exceeds thickness, the payload hits the hard ground!

Drop Simulation

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Force Profile Over Time (During Impact)

NGSS Three-Dimensional Learning

Science & Engineering Practices

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions: Apply scientific ideas to solve a design problem. Test different materials and thicknesses to refine a device that minimizes impact force to keep the payload under its breaking threshold (approx 50 N).

Disciplinary Core Ideas

PS2.A & ETS1: Total momentum changes are balanced by forces. By increasing the stopping distance (cushion compression) and time, the average impact force is reduced. Engineering criteria involve constraints like limited cushion thickness.

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect: Systems can be designed to cause a desired effect. Changing the stiffness (cause) alters the deceleration profile and peak force (effect), determining if the payload survives.