$A$ large truck and a car,both moving with speed $v$,have a head-on collision and both of them come to a halt after that. If the collision lasts for $10 \ s$:
$(i)$ Which vehicle experiences the greater force of impact?
$(ii)$ Which vehicle experiences the greater momentum change?
$(iii)$ Which vehicle experiences the greater acceleration?
$(iv)$ Why is the car likely to suffer more damage than the truck?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) $(i)$ Both vehicles experience the same force of impact because action and reaction are equal and opposite (Newton's Third Law).
$(ii)$ The truck experiences a greater change in momentum because momentum change $\Delta p = m \Delta v$. Since the truck has a much larger mass $(M > m)$,the change in momentum is greater for the truck.
$(iii)$ The car experiences greater acceleration. Since $F = ma$,then $a = F/m$. For the same force $F$,the vehicle with the smaller mass (the car) experiences higher acceleration.
$(iv)$ The car suffers more damage because it experiences a much higher magnitude of deceleration (acceleration) during the impact,leading to greater structural stress.

Explore More

Similar Questions

What are the changes possible on an object at rest if we apply on it:
$(a)$ a balanced force?
$(b)$ an unbalanced force?

$(i)$ Define momentum. Write its $SI$ unit.
$(ii)$ How much momentum will an object of mass $10 \ kg$ transfer to the floor if it falls from a height of $5 \ m$? $(g = 10 \ m \ s^{-2})$
$(iii)$ Explain how a karate player can break a pile of tiles with a single blow of his hand.

Difficult
View Solution

$A$ man weighing $60 \ kg$ runs along the rails with a velocity of $18 \ km \ h^{-1}$ and jumps into a car of mass $1$ quintal $(100 \ kg)$ standing on the rails. Calculate the velocity with which the car will start travelling along the rails. (in $m \ s^{-1}$)

Difficult
View Solution

$A$ ball is thrown vertically upwards. What is its momentum at the highest point?

Derive the unit of force using the second law of motion. $A$ force of $5 \, N$ produces an acceleration of $8 \, m s^{-2}$ on a mass $m_1$ and an acceleration of $24 \, m s^{-2}$ on a mass $m_2$. What acceleration would the same force provide if both the masses are tied together (in $, m s^{-2}$)?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo