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How does the impulse momentum theory be used with seat belts?

I have to a physics research about how the impulse-momentum theory is applied to the seat belts in cars. Any Suggestions? It's a one page research.

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  1. Actually, if I were designing the seat belts, I would find the impulse-momentum theorem to be useless to me, since a more applicable theorem is more useful. Said more applicable theorem is called the work-energy theorem. You see, when working with materials which will elastically absorb an impact, I know force as a function of distance, not force as a function of time. First I would find the kinetic energy of the person in a moving car as measured from the road reference frame. Then I would use a material model of stress-strain of the seatbelt, integrate under the safe operating portion of this model, which gives me strain energy density. The volume of material I need to use in the seatbelt will be the kinetic energy of the passenger/the strain energy density of the material's safe operating region.
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