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What Makes A Collision Lethal? | Neil deGrasse Tyson Explains...

2022-08-23 Science & Technology
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Description

What’s the safest car accident? On this explainer, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explain the physics of high impact collisions, kinetic energy, and how to keep yourself safe in a car wreck. We dive into transferring kinetic energy and the physics of a moving vehicle. What is a crumple zone and how can they save your life? Learn about the physics of how seatbeats save you and why wearing them even when the car is going slow is still important. Can a long car crash actually be better? We discuss the point of airbags, internal damage the body might endure, and absorbing kinetic energy. We take a look at surviving high impact collisions… it’s not a miracle, it’s physics! Get the NEW Cosmic Queries book (5/5 ⭐s on Amazon!): https://amzn.to/3dYIEQF Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

Top Comments (10)

@GovindSomai 2022-08-24

"It's a miracle!" "No it's not... It's physics!" Probably the best thing I've heard in a while.

237 7 replies
@nikkehautapelto1323 2022-08-24

This reminds me of the Jeremy Clarkson quote: "Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary, that's what gets you.”

223 13 replies
@BrianHartman 2022-08-23

This reminds me of last year, when I got hit by a car. I'm in a wheelchair (and I was before the accident, just to be clear) and the driver hit my chair probably going somewhere between 15-20 MPH. I was launched out of my chair on to the ground and spent some time in the hospital. But what reminds me of this is the way my back wheels were bent at a 90-degree angle from where I was hit. That's an enormous amount of force that didn't end up going into me directly.

128 15 replies
@Jack_McKalling 2022-08-25

You don't need a parashute to go skydiving. You need a parashute to go skydiving twice.

92 4 replies
@derekseven1647 2022-08-23

I come to this channel for some intelligent conversations. I need to hear something smart every once in awhile.

48 2 replies
@niiokaiaddy9449 2025-07-04

Who is here after Diogo Jota

47 7 replies
@СтивС-к8ф 2022-08-24

This is one of my pet peeves about superhero movies. You can fall from an 80 story building but as long as the hero catches you just before you hit, you'll be fine. No, if you stop abruptly, it's the same as if you hit the pavement.

36 6 replies
@littlemissmel88 2022-08-24

Who are these people saying they wouldn't want their car to crumple to save their lives? The car is replaceable, I am not, let that thing be demolished to save my life!

16
@777biggs 2022-08-23

"The bag beats you". Yes it does lol. Damn thing busted my lip. It also tasted nothing like marshmallows.

12
@jasono5178 2022-08-24

my friend rolled a few times on a highway while trucking and ended up surfing with a broken collaborne. He always calls it a miracle that he survived but now I call it physics.

7

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