Speed and relative damage in car crash

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between speed and damage in car crashes, particularly focusing on a hypothetical scenario where two identical cars collide. Participants explore the implications of damage assessment, force, and speed in the context of Newton's laws of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if both cars are identical, the damage should also be identical if they are struck in the same locations, implying that other factors like size and sturdiness may influence the outcome.
  • Another participant posits that if the damage is not equal, it indicates a difference in force, leading to the question of which car was traveling faster, while considering the mass of the vehicles as constant.
  • Newton's third law is referenced multiple times, emphasizing that the forces exerted by each car on the other are equal, which raises questions about the implications for damage assessment.
  • One participant notes that at higher speeds, the forces involved in a crash become significant, suggesting that additional damage may not necessarily correlate with speed beyond a certain point.
  • A later reply expresses confusion about why damage would be equal in identical cars regardless of speed differences, indicating a desire for further clarification on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between speed and damage, with no consensus reached on whether greater damage necessarily indicates higher speed. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of Newton's laws in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of factors influencing damage in car crashes, including vehicle design, mass, and impact locations, without fully resolving the implications of these variables.

Avila
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hi,

This week I was in an accident - one track road head on round a bend.

My impression was that the other car was faster and yet their car was more damaged.
I know that make and design is a huge issue in this but trying to recall my physics and failing.

In the not real, frictonless piston tradition -

If both cars were identical models and one was more damaged does that mean they or the other one were going faster?

I expect the claim to go through as 50/50 but wondering if there is a chance of one side blaming the other - ie them blaming me based on more damage to them.

So any thoughts on my hypothetical version?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If both cars are identical then the damage is also identical as long as they are hit in the same spots. My guess is that your own vehicle was larger, heavier, and a little sturdier than theirs.
 
My car is smaller, but apparently tougher!

But in the hypothetical case, if the damage is not equal then it follows that the force must be different, and if mass the same then velocity would be the variable. My question is which would be going faster? Is it as obvious as the faster one causes more damage to the other, or could that force affect it itself??
 
Newton's third law …

the force of your car on their car is the same as the force of their car on your car.
 
Once you get above a slow speed crash the forces exerted on the car frame and occupants are huge and get to the point where there can be limited additional damage at impact points.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
tiny-tim said:
Newton's third law …

the force of your car on their car is the same as the force of their car on your car.

Ok, so as said above, but I didn't grasp why - the damage on equal cars would be equal regardless of a difference in speed.

Thanks for that.

I am someone who likes to scratch an intellectual itch when it comes even when not in my field - so thanks folks.
 

Similar threads

High School Car Crash Physics: Deceleration Calculations
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
12K
Undergrad Relative velocity of two cars crashing into each other
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Undergrad Car Accident Physics - Are Wheels/Tires Good or Bad Energy Absorbers?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Car low average speed vs aero drag relation
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Filming a passing road sign: speed vs bumpiness
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Undergrad In jousting, how does speed affect the knight's lance?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
8K
Graduate Car Crash Physics: Comparing Head-On Collisions & Relativity
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
11K
High School Does the Bernouli Effect Work On Cars?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
High School Need a bet settled about classical momentum
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Undergrad Could Physically Slamming on a Table Damage the Home Floor/Structure?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K