In a head-on collision between two vehicles, is there a force acting on the persons in the car that propels them toward the windshield? Explain why or why not.

No, in a head on collision between two vehicles, there is no force acting on the persons in the car that propels them toward the windshield.

Explanation:

When there is head on collision between two vehicles, then according to Newton's third law, each vehicle will be exerting equal amount of force in opposite direction to each other. This action and reaction during collision leads to stop the vehicles at the end of collision.

But this is occurring outside the car during collision. In the interior of the car, a balanced force acts between the driver and any person inside the car or with the car itself, before collision. This balanced force can be termed as inertial force in this case.

As per Newton's first law, this inertial force is the force exerted by the persons seated in the car and which prevents the person's change in its state of motion or rest.

So, while car is moving the inertial force will act making the body move in the same frame of reference as car. After head on collision, the net force on the vehicles will become zero and they will stop.

Answer

no, there is no force acting on the person

Explanation:

According to Newton First law of motion if a body is moving it remains in motion unless a force act upon it.

In head on collision driver continues to move forward in the absence of any force. The car has net force applied on it so it stops but driver continues to move forward.