Which factor is NOT among the three factors affecting force of impact?

• A. The weight of the car
• B. The color of the car
• C. The speed of the car
• D. What you hit

Answer: (B)

During a crash, the force you feel comes from how much momentum and energy the car has and how quickly that energy is dissipated. The car’s weight (mass) matters because more mass means more momentum at a given speed, leading to a greater force during deceleration. Speed matters because kinetic energy increases with speed, so going faster typically means more energy to absorb and a higher impact force unless the crash lasts longer. What you hit matters because a rigid, unyielding object stops you more abruptly, while something that can crumple or move absorbs energy and lengthens the deceleration, reducing peak force. The color of the car doesn’t influence any of these factors, so it does not affect the force of impact.