Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site nmtvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!lanl-a!unm-ivax!nmtvax!student From: student@nmtvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.physics Subject: Re: Naive Question Message-ID: <395@nmtvax.UUCP> Date: Sat, 9-Jul-83 14:58:45 EDT Article-I.D.: nmtvax.395 Posted: Sat Jul 9 14:58:45 1983 Date-Received: Mon, 11-Jul-83 01:20:33 EDT References: <161@auvax.UUCP> Organization: New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM Lines: 25 /**************************************************************** Two cars, one having twice the mass of the other, are driven into a brick wall. Neither driver is wearing a seatbelt. What is the difference, if any, between the speeds with which the drivers are thrown? Why? (Both cars are going the same speed initially; both drivers weigh the same amount.) ****************************************************************/ Initialy the two drivers are moving at the same velocity (assuming that they are going in the same direction ie. scalar vs. vector). When the cars impact the brick wall, assuming that the wall is thick enough to completely stop the foward momentum of the car, the heavier car has twice the momentum of the lighter but the drivers have the SAME momentum and velocity. If the cars are stopped instantously (well close enough not to matter) then the two drivers will go splat against the steering wheel with the same velocity, the same momentum, and the same kenitic energy. Better wear a seat belt. Not afraid to buckle up! Greg Hennessy; ..ucbvax!unmvax!nmtvax!student