Does Mass Affect Velocity in Collisions?

AI Thread Summary
In collisions, the change in velocity is not the same for objects of different masses. A larger mass, like a truck, experiences less change in velocity compared to a smaller mass, like a car, when they collide. The principle of conservation of linear momentum explains that the less massive object will have a greater change in velocity. Therefore, the original statement that both objects undergo the same change in velocities is false. The discussion confirms that more mass does not equate to more change in velocity for both objects involved in a collision.
StephenDoty
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True or False: In a collision between a small car and a large truck, the car and the truck undergo the same change in velocities.

False- mor mass more change in velocity

right??
 
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You have not explained how you got that. But do you remember conservation of linear momentum?
 
well the massive truck will have more of a change in velocity than the small car since more mass means more change in velocity.

Right?
 
StephenDoty said:
mor mass more change in velocity

erm … if a 100 ton truck at 50 mph hits a roller-skate at 0 mph, which changes speed more? :rolleyes:
 
right
so the car and truck do not change velocities at the same rate, which makes the origional statement false.
 
So is it still "more mass more change in velocity"? :smile:
 
no the less massive object will have a more change of a velocity due to the more massive object. But the origonal statement is still false, right??
 
:smile: Yes! :smile:​

I'm going to bed … :zzz:
 

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