What Would Happen If a High Mass Object Hit a Wall at High Velocity Near Me?

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A high mass object colliding with a strong wall at high velocity would generate shock waves, which could transmit through the wall and into the air behind it. If the wall remains intact, the primary effects experienced by someone nearby would be acoustic and electromagnetic radiation, with the potential for infrared radiation as well. The distinction between sound waves and shock waves lies in their speed, pressure, and density, with shock waves being more intense and capable of causing damage. The shock wave's impact on a person would depend on the specifics of the collision, including the object's mass and velocity. Overall, while sound waves are generally non-destructive, shock waves can be harmful if strong enough.
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If an object of VERY high mass were to hit a hypothetical wall at a high velocity and the wall somehow withstood that, what would happen to you if you were standing on the other side close to the wall but not touching it? Would there be some sort of wave transmitted through it? If so, would this wave that hurts you be the sound wave?

So would shock wave be some sort of sound wave as well?
 
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If the wall stays intact - or at least its side closest to you does - then all that can reach you is acoustic and electromagnetic radiation.
 
How would EM radiation be generated? And what is acoustic radiation?
 
Collision -> heat -> EM radiation.

Acoustic radiation = sound.
 
So the sound wouldn't be able to hurt you? What's the difference between a sound wave and the destructive shock/pressure wave from explosives, 'extreme collisions' (e.g. meteors)?
 
A shock wave will definitely form in the wall. If the wall is thick enough to withstand the collision but not thick enough to attenuate the shock wave, a shock wave will also form in the air behind the wall. Whether it will be able to hurt you depends on the parameters of the collision.
 
voko said:
Collision -> heat -> EM radiation.

well there may be a little bit of IR radiation (EM radiation)
but if the wall doesn't crumble you won't see that as its likely to be absorbed by the wall anyway

Dave
 
So would the shock wave be the result of the colliding particles in the wall that hit the air? Also, if sound is basically collision of particles transferring a wave as well - what's the difference? Speed?
 
autodidude said:
Also, if sound is basically collision of particles transferring a wave as well - what's the difference? Speed?

Speed, pressure, density. Read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_wave
 

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