Question

1. based on the relative amounts of momentum, what is the outcome of a head - on collision between a heavy truck and a small sports automobile if both have the same speed? how do your ideas now compare to your initial ideas?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the formula for momentum

Momentum \(p = mv\), where \(m\) is mass and \(v\) is velocity.

Step2: Compare the momenta of the truck and the car

Let the mass of the truck be \(m_{t}\) and that of the car be \(m_{c}\), with \(m_{t}>m_{c}\). Given \(v_{t} = v_{c}=v\). Then \(p_{t}=m_{t}v\) and \(p_{c}=m_{c}v\). Since \(m_{t}>m_{c}\), \(p_{t}>p_{c}\).

Step3: Analyze the collision outcome

In a head - on collision, the object with greater momentum will have a greater influence on the post - collision motion. The truck has greater momentum. So the car will be pushed backward more than the truck is slowed down.

Answer:

The car will be pushed backward more than the truck is slowed down.