Momentum & Force: Comparing 2 Situations | Which Results in Greatest Impact?

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In the discussion on momentum and force, two scenarios are compared: two identical cars colliding head-on and one car crashing into a brick wall. It is concluded that the impulse experienced by each car is the same in both situations, as the forces are equal. The confusion arises from interpreting the impact force and impulse transfer, with the first scenario having a greater change in momentum due to the opposing velocities. Ultimately, the answer depends on how the question is interpreted, but both scenarios yield the same impulse on the vehicles involved. Understanding the relationship between momentum and impulse clarifies the dynamics of both situations.
Supaiku
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2 Situations.
One: Two identical cars crash head on (inelasticly) @ v miles per hour each (in opposide directions of course).
Two: A car identical to those two cards crashes (inelasticly) @ v miles per hour into a brick wall (ie. solid and unmovable... although I have seen pics of a car that just went through a brick wall...).
Wich of the two situations results in the greatest impact force.

Which answer?
The forces are the same in both.
Hitting the other car (One>Two).

P=momentum
J=impulse

I figure F (impluse; whatever) =delta(P) right? So in the first situation delta P is greater since they have opposing velocites (-P and P).
But if you do P+J=0 then J=P in both cases right?

I'm pretty confused; what's right and why? HElps mes!
 
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in the first situation the impuls transfert is bigger due to the two moving objects...
in the second situation only the car has impulse p...

maybe this will help...

regards
marlon
 
The impulse on each car is the same in both situations.
 
Ya, I got it now. I sort of misunderstook what was being asked... they are both right depending weather you interpert the question correctly or not :p
 

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