Question

. When a large truck

hits a small car, the
forces are equal.
• However, the small
.
car experiences a
much greater
change in velocity
much more rapidly
than the big truck.

Which vehicle ends up
with more damage?

Answer 1

Car

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on Newton 2nd law, energy are conserves. Meaning that if the Force is equal, the car with lower mass must be travelling in a much greater acceleration.

F = m.a

where,

a = Δv/Δt

When talking about energy, there are 2 factor: mass and velocity.

The change of Kinetic energy experience by the car is

ΔEk = 1/2.m.Δv²

Eventhough the car has smaller mass, notice that the velocity will be squared. In this case the velocity is the a more dominant factor. It means that energy absorbed by the car is much larger.