Explaining the Impact of Momentum and Collision on Damage in Head-On Collisions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Meowserkitty
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Collision Momentum
AI Thread Summary
In head-on collisions, the damage is significantly greater when individuals rebound rather than stick together due to the principles of impulse and change in momentum. When two people collide and rebound, they experience a second impact, increasing the overall force and energy transfer. Momentum conservation plays a critical role, as it dictates that the total momentum before and after the collision remains constant. The rebound leads to additional momentum changes, resulting in greater damage. Understanding these dynamics is essential for analyzing the effects of collisions on individuals.
Meowserkitty
Messages
14
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Consider a head-on collision between two people. The damage done to each person is far greater if the people rebound upon impact versus sticking together upon impact. Why? Discuss in terms of impulse/change in momentum.


Homework Equations


Momentum = (mass x Volume of 1st person)(Massx Volume of second person)


The Attempt at a Solution



I'm pretty lost.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You have been doing work on collisions in class.
What conservation law do you normally use?
 
That Momentum is always conserved
 
If they rebound then they will encounter a second collision with the floor.
 
Meowserkitty said:
That Momentum is always conserved
Fine - so how would you normally use this law?
 

Thread 'Rolling without slipping on a curved surface'

Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
View full post »

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Similar threads

Why is momentum conservation always true in a collision?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Elastic/Inelastic collision upon Traincrash
Replies
21
Views
2K
Conservation of linear & angular momentum head on collision
Replies
2
Views
3K
Solving a Head-on Collision: Qs 1-4
Replies
5
Views
3K
Momentum Problem involving minimizing collision impact
Replies
5
Views
3K
Impulse exerted on car during collision
Replies
4
Views
2K
How to find combined velocity after impact in a mallet and stake collision?
Replies
4
Views
1K
Collision of rolling billiard balls
Replies
4
Views
5K
Angular Momentum of Multiple Objects with Collision
Replies
2
Views
4K
How Does Friction Impact Post-Collision Speed in Inelastic Car Accidents?
Replies
4
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top