Head on collision between mirror image vehicles

[cimmee]

I have a question and I would like some help.

Assuming mirror image vehicles hitting at 65mph. Is the force exacted on each vehicle equal to 130mph or 65 mph. My assumption is that it would be the same as hitting an inelastic brick wall..

Thank ya'll in advance..

 

[Drakkith]

Each vehicle experiences a force equal to hitting a non-elastic wall at 65 mph. The reason is that, even though the total force for the collision is 130 MPH, it is spread over the 2 vehicles.

 

[A.T.]

The reason is that, even though the total force for the collision is 130 MPH, it is spread over the 2 vehicles.

Force is not measured in MPH. Force is also not "spread" (maybe you mean energy).

The reason for "same forces" is simple: same (de)acceleration.

 

[cimmee]

I had a conversation with a dolt that attempted to tell me that the mirror image crash caused 130mph worth of damage to both vehicles.

And yes I know the language is not precise.

Feel free to correct me, I would like to know the correct terms. I golf with a physics prof on occasion.

 

[Drakkith]

Force is not measured in MPH. Force is also not "spread" (maybe you mean energy).

The reason for "same forces" is simple: same (de)acceleration.

Yes. That is what I meant.

 

[Drakkith]

Also, there was a mythbusters episode that tested this. The result was that the collision is equal to each vehicle hitting a wall at the speed they were going.