In a 50 km/h head-on crash test, the steering column of passenger car 1 moved 3 cm upward and 2 cm rearward. the steering column of passenger car 2 moved 6 cm up and 24 cm toward the rear of the car. which of the two cars would protect people better in a crash? explain your answer.

Car 1

Explanation:

The steering column which moves the least is less likely to to the driver's chest ordinarily. Driver tends to remain in motion until restrained. Assuming a  seat belt not airbag

Generally one would compute a vector find direction and distance.  This is like solving for a hypotenuse  / in a right angled triangle problem. On face value the column moving the least is safer. The 6/24 would hit the upper chest, face, or possibly break the neck.

hence, car 1 moved 3 cm upward and 2 cm rearward is safer.

it is b. absorbs thermal energy