10th grade

Forces in Transport - Science

Task description
(G)oal Develop your understanding of Newton’s Laws of Motion, Velocity, Acceleration, and Kinetic Energy
when applied to develop safe transportation.

(R)ole You are a mechanical engineer who is part of a task force responsible for informing the Government
of Uganda about the problems in the transportation sector and their possible solutions.

(A)udience Ministers and Civil Servants of the Government of Uganda.

(S)ituation Uganda is a developing nation. As such, the transportation infrastructure is developing rapidly.

Transportation is inherently dangerous. As an engineer and advisor, it’s your job to investigate one
mode of transport which is relevant to Uganda’s development. You will then develop a product which
will inform the Government about one problem with your chosen mode of transport and how
science can be applied to solve this problem.

Some solutions you may wish to consider are: airbag ; seat belt; helmet; speed limit; bumpers;
braking systems; parachutes.

(P)roduct You will produce one of the following products: Poster, Essay, or Video Presentation

(S)tandards This assessment will assess criterion Ai and Aiii only and all criterion D strands
 Criterion D
Assessment Criterion D: Reflecting on the Impacts of Science

7-8 The student is able to: i. Explain how your chosen solution
i. Explain the ways in which science is improves transportation safety and
applied and used to address a specific how it works.
problem or issue. Describe the transportation safety
ii. Discuss and evaluate the implications of problem in detail.
using science and its application to ii. Discuss the benefits and
solve a specific problem or issue, limitations of the solution and
interacting with a factor. evaluate how it solves the
iii. Consistently apply scientific language problem, linking to a relevant factor.
to communicate understanding iii. Consistently apply scientific
clearly and language about: - Newton’s Laws of
precisely. Motion,
iv. Document sources completely. - Velocity,
- Acceleration, and
- Kinetic Energy,
iv. Document at least 5 sources
completely (both in-text citations and
works cited list match).
 Criterion A
Assessment Criterion A: Inquiring & Designing

7-8 The student is able to: i. Explain scientific knowledge about:

i. explain scientific knowledge. - Newton’s Laws of Motion,
ii. [Not applicable in this assessment] - Velocity,
iii. analyse and evaluate information - Acceleration, and
to make scientifically supported - Kinetic Energy.
judgments. ii. [Not applicable in this assessment]
iii. Include a relevant
graph/diagram/statistic, analyse the
information from it and evaluate the
strengths and limitations of this
graph/diagram/statistic.
 Newton’s 1st Law

Statement: An object at Implication; This implies that

rest will remain at rest, an object's velocity won't
and an object in motion change in the absence of
will continue in motion force. For instance, unless
at a constant velocity the driver delivers force with
unless acted upon by a the brakes or engine, the car
net external force. will not move.
 Newton’s 2nd Law
Statement: The acceleration Implication: This law
of an object is directly describes how an object's
proportional to the net velocity varies in response to
force acting upon it and an outside force. For
inversely proportional to its instance, a car slows down
mass. more if the brakes are
applied with more force.
 Newton’s 3rd Law
Statement: For every This implies that forces are
action, there is an equal always present in pairs. An equal
and opposite reaction. force is applied to the first
object in the opposite direction
when one object applies a force
to another. When a car stops, for
example, the rotors push back
against the brake pads (response)
and the brake pads push against
the rotors (action).
 Velocity
Velocity is a vector quantity that shows how
quickly an object moves position. It includes
both the object's velocity and its direction or
motion (DOM)
 Key components of Velocity
1. Displacement: Displacement is the change in position of an object, it is
measured in a straight line from the starting point to the ending point.
Displacement is a vector, meaning it must have distance and direction
involved in it. (Example: 50m to the right)

2. Time: Time is the duration of how long the displacement takes place.

3. Formula: Velocity (V) can be calculated using the formula below:

V=Δx / Δt

4. Units/Symbols:

V = Velocity (V)
T = Time (Measured in seconds (s))
X = Displacement (Measured in meters (m))
Δ = Delta
Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate at which an object's
velocity changes in comparison to time. Being a
vector quantity , acceleration must include both
direction and magnitude.
 Different types of Acceleration
1. Uniform Acceleration:
When the acceleration of an object doesn't change over time. For example, a
object in free fall with very little-to-no air resistance.

2. Non-Uniform Acceleration
When an object’s acceleration changes over time. For example when a car’s
speed accelerates or decelerates at different rates.

3. Centripetal Acceleration:
When an object moves in a circular (round) path, for example a banked corner
in a f1 race. This can be calculated with the formula below:
v = Velocity
r = Radius of the banked path
ac = Centripetal acceleration
(“Graphing Calculator”)
 Direction of Acceleration
Positive Acceleration:
For example, whenever an object speeds up, like a man that starts running from a
stopped position.

Negative Acceleration:
When a object slows down, for example a car when it applies its brakes.

In both situations, the direction of acceleration corresponds to the change in velocity.

In the situation where the acceleration is in the same direction as the velocity, the
object speeds up. In the incident where the acceleration is in the opposite direction,
the object starts to slow down, these things come down to things like air resistance, or
any other opposing force.
 Newton's Second Law of Motion
Acceleration is related to Newton’s second law of motion which states that: The
acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting upon it and
inversely proportional to its mass.

Equation:

F=m⋅a
Where:

F = net force acting on the object

M = mass of the object
A = the acceleration

The law shows how the acceleration of an object is directly related to the net force
acting on it. The net force acting on the object is inversely proportional to its mass.
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is the
energy an object has due
to its motion.
 Characteristics
● The relationship with mass and velocity:
The kinetic energy of a object increases when both the mass and the
square of its velocity increases. If an object's speed doubles, its kinetic
energy will increase by four times, this shows the importance of how
much velocity can influence kinetic energy.

● Scalar Nature:
Kinetic energy is a scalar quantity, this means it has a size, but no
directional component. This is the main difference between vector
quantities like velocity and acceleration, and scalar quantities like kinetic
energy and thermal energy.

● Units:
Kinetic energy = Joule (J) which is equivalent to the equation below:

(“Graphing Calculator”)
Chosen Idea for research
I will be researching on a Boda Boda and its braking system because i
think it is relevant to uganda's transportation issues as it fits the criteria,
in addition i think it is interesting to me as i would like to learn about it, in
addition to everything stated above i think these 2 choices fit the criteria
the most and allow me to do my best.
What is the issue?
Many people in Uganda and East Africa use their main mode of
transport as a motorcycle that is most locally known as a boda boda.
These boda bodas are usually used as a main source of income from
people that are less fortunate, the drivers of the boda bodas are
typically driven by men that dont really have alot going in their lives,
this leads to reckless driving, this can lead to alot of life losses,
hospitalizations, etc. These boda bodas are usually the BOXER 100ES,
Boxer 100S, and BOXER 100 Spoke models. These motorcycles can reach
up to 90 km/ph due to their 99.27 cc engine, and their 8.03NM of
torque. In addition to everything they do have somewhat reliable brakes
as they are also equipped with drum breaks. It is also known that lot
of these boda drivers, tend to not wear a helmet.
Diagram of braking system

(“akebono”)
How does the braking system work?
According to bajaj (link to bajaj) and my
knowledge these are the bikes that are
commonly used in uganda (East Africa), This is
because there accomodations towards being
financially efficient and durable. After doing
research I found out that they all use the
same braking system, they all use ABS
(Anti-Lock Braking System) and the ABS
braking system they use are all a brake called
a Drum Brake. Drum brakes are common in
East Africa as they fit the climate, on the
next slide you will see a diagram of Drum
Brakes.
Source
 Drum breaks (P&C)
Cons:
Pros:
1. Weight: Drum brakes are usually heavier
1. Cost-Effective: Drum brakes, unlike disc
than disc brakes, this is bad because long
brakes, are typically less expensive with
term it might end up affecting the
the purpose being to lower the overall
overall performance of the vehicle.
cost of the vehicle.
2. Effectiveness: Drum brakes do sometimes
2. Effective parking brake: Drum breaks can
struggle with performance, this is usually
provide a stronger parking brake which
the case in wet conditions, as they can
makes parking the vehicle easier.
collect water. In addition they do end up
3. Smaller: Drum brakes are usually more
becoming less effective because they
compact and small,this allows them to fit
usually last 100,000km which could be
in tighter spaces compared to disc brakes
around 2-3 years before needing a
that need space.
change.
3. Responsivity: Drum brakes in general are
less responsive than brakes like a disc
brake, this can lead to more accidents
(“How Long Do Brake Drums Last?”)
How does this affect the public?
It is known that 58% of the
average accidents are caused by
motorcycles (boda bodas).
This is a big problem because a
lot of people in east africa use
alot of bodas, as they are a
reliable, cheap, quick form of
transportation, it is also known
that more than 5 people die daily
because of bodas. This is really
bad as it affects the population.
(Naturinda and KAMOGA)
(Vaca et al.)
(Naturinda and KAMOGA)
 Graphs
Graph 1: Graph 2:
 Analysis of Graph 1:
Graph 1:
As you can see in the graph, it shows the distribution of deaths on the road and their causes. As
mentioned in the graph, 46% of deaths on the road were caused by motorcycles (boda bodas) in
2020 compared to the deaths caused by pedestrians: 44%, this shows that a lot of these things
come from small things that can be changed, like reckless driving, over speeding, etc. The graph
also shows other data explaining 6% of deaths come from car occupants, and then the lowest
percentage comes from cyclists with a score of 4%. This data shows where there is possibility to
change a few things, like maybe the population of boda boda drivers is supper high compared to the
population of the cyclists which might be a factor on why things are the way they are.
Strengths and Limitations of graph 1
Strengths: Limitations:
● Clear presentation ● Data time scope
The pie chart allows people to visualise the The graph only provides information from
information better, it is also clear and 2020, this is bad because it does not apply
informative. to today’s life.
● Details ● Location
The graph involves small details like adding The graph is only based on Kampala, this
percentage levels, labels, etc does not mean the rest of the country is
● Simplicity like this.
The graph is very simple, it includes things ● No raw data
that are needed and does not include things As the graph does provide percentages, it
that are not needed or unnecessary, this does not actually say the amount of deaths
makes the graph straightforward and easy to per year.
understand.
 Crash Explanation
Newton’s Law of inertia (1st)

The law of inertia Newton's 1st law states that an object in motion will stay in motion unless an unbalanced
force acts on it. This tells us that if a boda boda is in motion, a unbalanced force would have to act on it
for it to come to a stop, e.g., air resistance, ground/friction, or any other obstacle.

Newton’s 3rd law of motion

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. According to the law of inertia and this law, this
means that when a boda boda for instance crashes into a car, or another object, it will leave a dent with the
severity of the same force (Depending on the hardness of the object).

Collision

According to Newton’s second law and formula (F=ma), when a collision between a boda and a truck, car,
object, etc, happens they will apply force to each other as soon as the collision happens. The force of the
collision would be stronger on one side (usually), and it would rarely be the same force exerted. This is
because the stronger force exerted will be dependent on which object is heavier, faster, or both. This is
usually because of factors such as, over speeding, poor brakes, etc.
 Solution
The solution to this issue would be to implement and insist on speeding rules, riding rules, etc. This brings a
lot of good things, for example, It would minimize the amount of people that are speeding, which would reduce
the risk of accidents, this because if people drive slower their brakes could be more responsive and they could
possibly stop quicker. In addition riding rules would be implemented such as wearing a helmet every time you
ride or your boda will be confiscated by the police. furthermore other riding rules will be implemented such as
wearing a reflective vest every time you ride as most accidents happen during the night or evening. In
addition to everything that has been stated above, most of these accidents happen because of reckless driving,
speeding, etc. Sfince 58% of the deaths caused on the road are from borders I have come to the conclusion it
is because of the braking system, as cars are able to break more frequently and more efficiently. With that
being said I would like to implement some rules that could help maximize the brakes efficiency and minimize
the amount of accidents caused by the lack of efficiency on the brakes. The last thing would be for every boda
driver to be required to renew their braking system, whether they are drum brakes or ABS brakes, or disc
brakes. These renewals would happen every 2 to 3 years to maximize the efficiency of the brakes.
Strengths of Solution
By improving visibility and reaction time, particularly at night, speed limit
enforcement and riding regulations, such as the requirement to wear a helmet
and bright vest, can greatly lower the number of speed-related accidents. In
the case of an accident, these precautions improve rider safety and lessen the
degree of injuries. Motorcycles with regular braking system replacements retain
effective stopping power, reducing the risk of accidents brought on by
deteriorated or unreliable brakes. Strict enforcement, such as confiscating
bodas for noncompliance, also promotes riders changes in behaviour and builds a
culture of responsibility and safety. This solution targets important elements
that contribute to on the road deaths by addressing primary causes of
boda-related accidents, such as careless driving and poor braking systems.
Limitations of the Solution
The solution has disadvantages, such as the financial strain that safety
equipment, as brake replacements could put alot of stress on low-income boda
drivers, which may cause disagreement or non-compliance. Helmet and
reflective vest accessibility is still an issue, and it might be challenging to
implement these rules extensively. Furthermore, the overall benefit of the
suggested solution is limited because better braking systems by themselves
cannot reduce accidents brought on by bad weather, human mistakes, etc.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/newtons-laws-of-motion/

https://www.akebono-brake.com/english/product_technology/product/automotive/drum/

https://global.globalbajaj.com/en/Brands/Boxer

https://www.desmos.com/calculator

https://natrad.com.au/info-advice/how-long-do-brake-drums-last/#:~:text=Brake%20drums%20can%20last%20over,factors%20influen
ce%20the%20part%27s%20lifespan.

https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/reckless-motorcyclists-run-amok-in-kampala-4077996
Works Cited
link