What simulates the force of a vehicle colliding with a fixed object when traveling at 60 mph?

The correct answer reflects that a ten-story building simulates the force of a vehicle colliding with a fixed object while traveling at 60 mph. This is due to the significant energy and force generated during a high-speed impact.

When a vehicle crashes into a stationary object, the forces involved can be thought of in terms of kinetic energy, which increases with the square of the speed of the vehicle. The greater the height of the building, the more potential energy it represents. In this context, a ten-story building offers a more appropriate comparison because it provides a substantial mass and height that can mimic the extreme forces and consequences of such a high-speed collision more accurately than shorter buildings.

While structures of three, five, or even two stories may illustrate certain aspects of impact or height, they do not encapsulate the immense physical characteristics that a ten-story building presents, which are critical in understanding the severity and the potential impact of a high-speed vehicle collision. This comparison is crucial for driver education and awareness of the dangers of high-speed driving.