Physics of Driving onto a Moving Car Carrier: Myth or Reality?

  • Thread starter Thread starter BK Bundles
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Car Hypothetical
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the physics involved when a car drives onto a moving car carrier truck. Participants analyze the relative speeds of both vehicles, concluding that if a car traveling at 65 mph approaches a truck moving at 65 mph, the car's effective speed relative to the truck is only 5 mph. This means that upon reaching the ramp, the car must decelerate to match the truck's speed to avoid crashing. The inertia of the car plays a crucial role in preventing abrupt changes in velocity, allowing for a smoother transition onto the ramp.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as inertia and relative velocity.
  • Familiarity with the principles of acceleration and deceleration.
  • Knowledge of how momentum affects vehicle dynamics.
  • Basic grasp of the mechanics of driving and vehicle control.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of inertia and how they apply to vehicle dynamics.
  • Study the concept of relative velocity in physics.
  • Explore the effects of acceleration and deceleration on vehicle handling.
  • Investigate real-world applications of these principles in automotive safety and design.
USEFUL FOR

Automotive engineers, physics students, driving instructors, and anyone interested in the mechanics of vehicle dynamics and safety.

  • #31
rcgldr said:
Mythbusters made this seem more risky than it actually is. This same stunt also done on "Fear Factor" by inexperienced contestants, the driver was blindfolded and the passenger was giving directions, to drive up a ramp onto a flatbed truck.

DaveC426913 said:
Well, risk is relative. Any stuntage involving multiple moving vehicles at point blank range at 40mph is risky.
True, but in the case of that Fear Factor episode (season 5, episode 18), crashing was an option (and happened quite a bit), as the cars (they went through a few) had a roll cage, and the occupants were harnassed. The actual Fear Factor sequence was a timed event where the car started along side the moving flat bed truck, had to slow down to get behind it, line up for the ramp, then accelerate to get onto the ramp and brake to re-sync speeds again and "stop" on the flat bed, all of this with a blind folded driver and passenger giving directions. IIRC, the best time was less than 20 seconds. The flat bed did seem wider than the enclosed truck used in the MythBusters episode, so there was a bit more margin for error.
 

Similar threads

High School Does the Bernouli Effect Work On Cars?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Driving a car onto a semi while both are in motion
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Can aerodynamic downforce from a standard car cause lateral pull in others?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Determine speed needed to cause rollover of car hitting ramp
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
The Physics of a Fender Bender: Rotating a 4000 lb Van
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Danger of spending time inside a running, not moving car
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
18K
Driving a car on the roof of a truck.
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Car Accident: Need Assistance Please
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Car Crash Physics: Comparing Head-On Collisions & Relativity
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
10K
Speed and distance in a car crash
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K