Calculate Contact Force: Car and Truck Collision on Icy Road

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SUMMARY

The collision between a car with a mass of 850 kg and a truck with a mass of 3550 kg on an icy road results in a contact force of 156671 N exerted by the car on the truck. According to Newton's Third Law, the force exerted by the truck on the car is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. The calculated force on the car due to the truck is 12640 N, derived using the formula for acceleration and contact force based on the masses involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Third Law of Motion
  • Basic knowledge of force and mass calculations
  • Familiarity with the concept of contact force
  • Ability to perform calculations involving acceleration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Newton's Laws in collision scenarios
  • Learn about the effects of friction on vehicle collisions
  • Explore advanced dynamics involving multiple bodies in motion
  • Investigate real-world applications of contact force in automotive safety
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, automotive engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of vehicle collisions and the forces involved in such scenarios.

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Homework Statement



A car of mass 8.50E+2 kg and a truck of mass 3.55E+3 kg run into one another due to ice on the road. 60.0 ms after the collision, the car is pushing on the truck with a force whose magnitude is 1.56671E+5 N. Calculate the size of the force on the car due to the truck at that time.


Homework Equations



accel. of car = accel. of truck
a = f / sum of masses
Contact force = mass of truck * (f/sum of masses)


The Attempt at a Solution



contact force = 3550 * (15667 / [850 + 3550])

= 12640 N
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Consider Newton's 3rd law.
 
That was too easy. Haha, I feel stupid.
 

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