Wood Car Ramp Impacts: Will Bouncing Affect Force?

In summary, the experiment described involves a wood car with 2 eggs as passengers going down a 2.43 meter ramp at 40 degrees. The car has a crumple zone on the front to absorb some impact, but if it bounces when it hits the cement block at the end of the ramp, it will experience a different force on impact. The conversation then delves into the study of different types of collisions and their effects on acceleration forces, specifically focusing on the difference between elastic and inelastic (plastic) collisions and the resulting acceleration vectors. The question is posed as to which system would represent a larger average acceleration: a ball hitting a wall and sticking to it, or a ball hitting a wall and bouncing backwards.
  • #1
Jessibaca
5
0
Situation: A wood car with 2 eggs as passengers goes down a 2.43 meter ramp at 40 degrees. The car has a crumple zone on the front to absorb some impact. If the car bounces when it hit the cement block at the end of the ramp, how will the bouncing affect the force the car experiences on impact?
 
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  • #2
Have you studied the difference between an elastic, inelastic, and plastic collision?
 
  • #3
I've studied the different collisions a little, but I still don't understand what affects of the different types of collisions.
 
  • #4
Lets assume a perfectly elastic collision versus a perfectly inelastic collision (plastic). So a typical example is a steel ball and a round piece of putty both striking a very hard surface.

If you look at the speed over time, and use the same interval for the collision time, what happens in terms of acceleration forces?

We know the steel ball starts at X speed and ends up at X speed, whereas the putty starts at the same X speed and ends up at zero.

Cliff
 
  • #5
The force is a vector, and is proportional to the acceleration, which is also a vector.

Given that the acceleration is a vector, which system represents a larger average acceleration? A ball hitting a wall and sticking to it, or a ball hitting a wall and bouncing backwards?
 

1. How does the height of the wooden car ramp affect the force of impact?

The height of the wooden car ramp does not have a direct impact on the force of impact. However, it can affect the speed at which the car travels down the ramp, which in turn can affect the force of impact.

2. Can the material of the wooden car ramp affect the force of impact?

Yes, the material of the wooden car ramp can affect the force of impact. A smoother surface will result in less friction and potentially less force of impact, while a rougher surface will increase friction and potentially increase the force of impact.

3. Does the weight of the wooden car affect the force of impact?

Yes, the weight of the wooden car can affect the force of impact. A heavier car will have more mass and therefore more force when it impacts the ground. However, the height and speed of the car also play a role in the force of impact.

4. How does the angle of the wooden car ramp affect the force of impact?

The angle of the wooden car ramp can affect the force of impact. A steeper angle will result in a faster speed and potentially more force of impact, while a shallower angle will result in a slower speed and potentially less force of impact.

5. Can bouncing on the wooden car ramp affect the force of impact?

Yes, bouncing on the wooden car ramp can affect the force of impact. Bouncing can increase the speed and height of the car, resulting in a higher force of impact when it reaches the ground. It can also cause the car to hit the ground at an angle, which can affect the force of impact.

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