Ten Minutes Until Impact Trivia Quiz

Answer: Anthropomorphic test device

An anthropomorphic test device, or crash test dummy, simulates the human body in dimension, articulation and weight proportion. They contain devices that record data in simulated vehicle impacts. Recorded data can include deceleration rates, velocity of impact, movement of the body and crushing force.

Answer: All of these answer options are correct

A crash test dummy has a steel rib cage, rubber neck and knees, vinyl 'skin', and other types of steels and plastics depending on the individual dummy. Parts are designed so that their strength, movement and flexibility are as close as possible to that of a human. Crash test dummies are constantly evolving as available technologies make it possible for the dummy to become more and more human-like.

Answer: Biomechanics

Biomechanics is defined as "the science of the internal and external forces acting on the human body and the effects produced by these forces." Sports researchers are also big users of the principles of biomechanics in that they try to understand how the human body works to ultimately enhance the performance of athletes. Crash test researchers use the information gained to better design cars so that they are safer for occupants and other victims of automotive crashes.

Biodynamics is a method of organic farming, Anthropology is the study of humanity, and Human thermodynamics is "the study of matter and energy transformations in human life".

Answer: Human cadavers (dead bodies)

Human cadavers were first used to test the effects of impacts on the body. Most cadavers were older adults who had died a non-violent death but unfortunately weren't representative of victims of impact deaths. Cadavers that had died violent deaths were not useful either as their injuries were likely to compromise any data collected from testing.

It was also deemed unethical and immoral to use child cadavers for testing. Live human volunteers (mainly researchers) were used but they were limited in their usefulness as lethal force could not be used. Both live and dead animals were used for testing, with pigs being most common as their internal structure is (apparently) similar to that of a human. Animal testing for impact crashes was phased out from the early 1990s.

Answer: Aircraft ejection seats, helmets and harnesses

'Sierra Sam' was produced in 1949 for the Sierra Engineering Co. by Samuel Alderson at his Alderson Research Labs. IT was originally designed for use in aircraft testing. Alderson also produced the VIP-50 series which was built specifically for Ford and General Motors. 'Sierra Stan', the next model, was deemed unsuitable for testing in automotive crashes by the automotive companies themselves.

Answer: Hybrid

General Motors first created the Hybrid I crash test dummy. It was '50th percentile male' which means that it was the height, weight, proportion and mass of an average male human. Previous models were considered '95th percentile male' because they were taller and heavier than the average male. General Motors, along with the Society of Automotive Engineers, eventually shared this design (and that of a female dummy) with its competitors.

SID is a side impact dummy used, as the name suggests, in research into side impact crashes.

Answer: Six month old baby

The Hybrid III 'family' consists of:
*A 50th percentile male;
*A 95th percentile male;
*A 5th percentile female;
*A ten year old child;
*A six year old child; and
*A three year old child.
The 50th percentile male is the dummy that occupies the drivers' seat of all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 65km/h offset frontal crash tests. He is 175cm (5'9") tall and weighs 77kg (170lb). The children are the newest members of the Hybrid III family and, as so little data exists, their sizes are based on estimates.
A six month old crash test dummy does exist but not as a part of the Hybrid family of dummies.

Answer: Dropping the (removed) head from a height of 40cm

As well as removing the head and dropping it from a height of 40 centimetres, the knees are struck with a metal 'probe' to test for puncture, the chest is struck with a heavy pendulum to check for rib flexion, and the head and neck are tested for proper flex. When the body has been calibrated (and the head and neck reattached), it is then deemed ready for testing.

Answer: Yellow

The dummy is dressed in yellow and painted with markings on the head and knees. This is so that researchers can see the movements more easily in their review of the slow-motion films. 44 data points are located in the dummy and, in a 100-150 millisecond crash, record between 30 000 and 35 000 items of data. The data is stored in the dummy and downloaded to a computer once testing is complete.

Answer: Impact from above

SID, the Side Impact Dummy, measures the impact of a sideways collision on the spine, ribs and internal organs. These come in both male and female versions. BIORID is the dummy used primarily to test whiplash on rear impact collisions. THOR is used for facial impact crash tests, and there are three CRABI models representing six, twelve and eighteen month old children. CRABI dummies are used for the testing of child restraint devices.
No typical crash test uses impact crashes from above.