Bad News Physics

[PhantomWolf]

Bad Physics in one of our local papers in an article about belting up in cars:

A 64kg person will increase their velocity about 7.5 times when stopping suddenly at only 12km/h.

Huh??????

[Glom]

I think they might be referring to dynamic loading. Their weight will increase. But you're right. That's so stupid. New rule: have journalists stop talking about science altogether. Everything they say is wrong so no science news is better than incorrect science news.

[mickal555]

Increase their velocity :o

[tracer]

Increase their velocity :o
Obviously, the automotive industry has perfected a new "braking engine" that multiplies the speed of the car (or at least the car's occupants) by 7.5 when stopping suddenly. Accelerate to 20 km/hour normally, then slam on the brakes, and boom, you're hurtling along at an Autobahn-worthy 150 km/hour. Imagine the fuel savings!