What happens to kinetic energy in a car collision?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RachelT
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    A-level Momentum
AI Thread Summary
In a car collision involving a 1050kg vehicle moving at 50mph striking a stationary 1200kg vehicle, the post-collision speed of both vehicles can be calculated using conservation of momentum. The total kinetic energy before the collision is greater than after the collision, indicating energy loss. This lost kinetic energy is transformed into other forms, such as heat, sound, and deformation of the vehicles. Participants emphasize the importance of showing work and equations used in calculations to facilitate assistance. Understanding these principles is crucial for analyzing the dynamics of collisions.
RachelT
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
first post so here goes: this question isn't hard but i can't seem to get the answer i should have.

'a car of mass 1050kg runs into the back of car b which is stationary with mass 1200kg. car A was moving at 50mph immediately before impact. after impact, the vehicles are locked together'

calculate the speed at which the 2 vehicles move immediately after collision and the amount of kinetic energy lost in the collision. what has happened to this energy?

any help appreciated. thank you!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to the forum. You are meant to show your attempt at a solution and any equations/assumptions used before asking for help.
 

Thread 'Derivation of Hamilton's Principle: Questions'

I have recently been really interested in the derivation of Hamiltons Principle. On my research I found that with the term ##m \cdot \frac{d}{dt} (\frac{dr}{dt} \cdot \delta r) = 0## (1) one may derivate ##\delta \int (T - V) dt = 0## (2). The derivation itself I understood quiet good, but what I don't understand is where the equation (1) came from, because in my research it was just given and not derived from anywhere. Does anybody know where (1) comes from or why from it the...
View full post »

Similar threads

Energy transformed in a collision
Replies
5
Views
2K
I Question about Momentum vs. Kinetic Energy vs. Deforming In Collisions
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Work Done/Energy Transferred in One Dimensional Collision
Replies
5
Views
2K
Three Car Collision - Can physics help clarify twin impact?
Replies
3
Views
16K
Momentum conservation inelastic collection
Replies
18
Views
2K
What does physics say about Car collision damages?
Replies
14
Views
15K
How Do Momentum and Kinetic Energy Influence Collision Outcomes?
Replies
12
Views
2K
Calculating Speed and Kinetic Energy in a Car Collision
Replies
8
Views
3K
Energy Lost During Purely Inelastic Collisions
Replies
6
Views
2K
I Why is momentum considered a vector and kinetic energy a scalar?
Replies
15
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top