Another physics problem

[xrongor]

although i may be overthinking it. seems inertia comes into play somewhere..

[tcg]

I suggest you consult this site:

[Harry K]

Yes it does but each vehicle has an inertia of mass times speed (1 car x 50mph for simplicity). The inertia is expended during the crash and each one expends its own inertia, i.e., 1 car x 50 mph, resulting in 0 mph and 0 inertia.

Harry K

[Harry K]

Almost right but not if you are doing 50mph and the other car is doing

100000 mph. in that case you would experience an impact of almost infinity. The problem is stated cars of equal mass at equal speed. It is a common belief that the speeds add, i.e, the impact would be 100 mph, they don't.

Harry K

[Robert Worcester]

A.

What if they hit at an angle of 90 degrees?

[xrongor]

i pondered this for a while and the only way it makes sense to me is to assume at the point of impact you no longer have two objects, but one object with twice the mass. which is probably correct...

randy

[Harry K]

Somehow we seem to be misunderstanding each other but if I read that right it does come out right but you really still have two objects, each with 1/2 of the total mass.

Harry K

[Oscar_Lives]

each hit with 100% of their own mass.

[MUADIB®]

hence the term "head on" would not apply.

Remove "YOURPANTIES" to reply

MUADIB®

one small step for man,..... One giant leap for attorneys.

[ABC]

If the collision is perfectly straight on and the cars of equal mass, the impact for each car it would be the same as hitting the legendary brick wall that doesn't not move.

[HotRod]

The answer is "A". 100 mph, because

E1=E2 when two cars hit head on which means each car would absorb 50 kmh of kinetic energy BUT when a car hits a wall E1 is divided in 1/2, 1/2 going to the wall and 1/2 to the car. It's all in the wording of the question

[Bob]

WHO CARES!!

[127.0.0.1]

i'm too lazy to search for the OP. but i have to add, are the 2 vehicles identical with 0 wind on level ground? or are you talking about 2 objects in a vacuum colliding at equal mass and velocity?

did you know that a vehicle without a built in cup holder has a higher occupant survival rate than vehicles with multiple built-in cup holders?

-a|ex

[Harry K]

After all this, I certainly don't :)

Harry K