How does the pressure on each dummy compare?

Question

Two safety dummies (of equal mass) are being used to test seat belts. Dummy A has a wide seat belt, and Dummy B has a narrow seat belt. Both dummies are crashed into a barrier while in the same car. How does the pressure on each dummy compare? is being asked. 

 

But, I know that Dummy B’s pressure is greater than Dummy A’s describes the pressure exerted by the seat belt on the dummies during the stopping process, but why? Could you please explain this concept using physics terms? I would highly appreciate it.

Answer 1

Pressure is defined as a force applied over a surface area. P = F/A.

Lets assume the force is 10N for each crash test dummy.

Also, lets assume the surface area for the narrow seat belt is 1m² and for the wide seat belt it is 10 m². Thus:

Dummy A ⇒P = F/A = 10/10 = 1 newton per square meter.

Dummy B ⇒P = F/A = 10/1 = 10 newtons per square meter.

Dummy B feels more pressure since the seat belt has a smaller surface area.