Car Crash and Such: Investigation and Analysis

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the analysis of a car accident involving two vehicles at an intersection. The problem includes determining the velocities of the vehicles prior to impact, energy loss during the collision, impulse delivered to each vehicle, and the implications of the collision type. The context involves applying principles of momentum and energy in a physics framework.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the nature of the collision, questioning whether it is inelastic and discussing the implications of the vehicles' trajectories post-collision. There are attempts to apply conservation of momentum and energy principles, with some participants expressing uncertainty about how to calculate initial velocities without final velocity data. The role of friction and its impact on deceleration is also examined.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various participants offering insights into the calculations needed to determine the initial speeds of the vehicles. Some have provided equations and methods for calculating friction and acceleration, while others are still seeking clarity on how to approach the problem effectively. Multiple interpretations of the collision dynamics are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There are constraints regarding the information available, particularly concerning the final velocities of the vehicles and the coefficient of friction for vehicle 1. Participants are also navigating the complexities of the problem, such as the implications of the collision being inelastic and the need to consider the angles of travel.

  • #31
You seem to have the right idea now, but made an error here:
~christina~ said:
pxf= (934.40kg)(9.29m/s cos (45))= 61,389.09kg*m/s
pyf= (934.40kg)(9.29m/s sin (45)) = 6,1389.09kg*m/s
These should be: 6,138.09 kg-m/s
...
However about the negative ...not sure where to put that...I was going to say that the momentum for the initial and final was negative since the car 1 goes in the y direction initially and finally goes in the y direction as well.
Don't worry about the direction or sign of the impulse (although you could certainly find the direction if you wanted to, just like you'd find the direction of any other vector), just figure out the magnitude.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
Doc Al said:
You seem to have the right idea now, but made an error here:

These should be: 6,138.09 kg-m/s

Oh my...:rolleyes: thanks for catching that Doc Al

well editing that...

m1= 934.40kg
viy= 25.06m/s
vix= 0m/s

vfy= 9.29m/s sin 45
vfx= 9.29m/s cos 45

pxi= (934.40kg)(0m/s)= 0kg*m/s
pyi= (934.40kg)(25.06m/s)= 23,416.064kg*m/s

pxf= (934.40kg)(9.29m/s cos (45))= 6,138.09kg*m/s
pyf= (934.40kg)(9.29m/s sin (45)) = 6,138.09kg*m/s

\Delta p_x= p_{xf}-p_{xi}= 6,138.09kg*m/s - 0kg*m/s = 6,138.09kg*m/s

\Deltap_y= p_{yf}-p_{yi}= 6,138.09kg*m/s - 23,416.064kg*m/s= -17,277.974kg*m/s

magnitude I= \Delta P = \sqrt{(6,138.09kg*m/s)^2 + (-17,277.974kg*m/s)^2}= 18,335.88kg*m/s

If it is now correct then I would think that the impulse is the impulse the car 1 delivered to car 2 when they crashed

Thanks
 
  • #33
Looks good.
~christina~ said:
If it is now correct then I would think that the impulse is the impulse the car 1 delivered to car 2 when they crashed
Since you calculated the change in momentum of car 1, you found the impulse delivered to car 1. (Which was delivered by car 2, of course.)
 
  • #34
Doc Al said:
Looks good.

Since you calculated the change in momentum of car 1, you found the impulse delivered to car 1. (Which was delivered by car 2, of course.)

Oh..yep..


Thanks for all your help Doc Al :smile:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K