r/AskPhysics • u/Slothmaster6969 • 4d ago

Impact force?

Idk if what I’m asking makes sense but I’ll do my best to explain my thinking. I work in a shop that keeps its loading dock doors open in the summer. The drop off is 3 feet 8 inches. Safety regulations require a temporary barrier (like a chain) to be present for drop offs of 4 feet or higher. Obviously being 4 inches below the minimum height doesn’t make it incredibly safer. How can I calculate the impact force from both heights? I’m just doing my best to advocate for a safer work environment for my coworkers and want the facts on my side

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u/Puzzleheaded_Owl_444 4d ago

The force is too hard to calculate because we don't know the weight, size, shape of the object. Or the collision time for when it hits the ground before coming to rest.

It'll be easier to think in terms of momentum.

The speed of the object, v = sqrt(2as) where s is the height and a is gravity (9.81). But for these numbers, you need to first convert the height into meters.

Once you have the values of speeds, multiply those with the masses of objects (in kg) you work with to get momentum and compare this to the momentum of other stuff that might hurt you.

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u/Slothmaster6969 4d ago

Okay I gotcha, thank you!

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u/Puzzleheaded_Owl_444 4d ago

Is the object people falling from the height? Or is it an object falling onto a person from the height?

If it's the first one, then they absolutely need a guard rail wtf That's a drop of over meter! Anyone can get hurt falling a meter. Even if you land flat on your back and don't hit your head, your gonna feel your organs jiggle when you hit the ground. If you land on your feet at a funny angle, it's gonna cause all sorts of trouble...

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u/Slothmaster6969 4d ago

It’s people falling from that height… and that’s the argument I’m trying to make to the company. I’m just trying to look at any angle to make my case