Question

1. Choose the correct option.
(3 x 1 = 3 marks)
a) When an insect hits the windshield of a moving car,
(1) the force applied by the car on the insect is greater than the force applied by the
insect on the car
(ii) the force applied by the insect on the car is greater

than the force applied by the
car on the insect
(iii) both the insect and the car apply equal force on each other
(iv) the forces of the insect and the car cannot be compared with the information
given
QMTL​

Answer 1

Explanation:

Kiran's statement:

Change in momentum of the insect and the motorcar is equal by conservation of momentum. The velocity of insect changes significantly because its mass is very small compared to the motorcar. Similarly, the velocity of motorcar is very insignificant because its mass is very large compared to the insect. Hence, Kiran's statement is false.

Akhtar's statement:

By newton's third law of motion, action and reaction force are equal and opposite and they act on different bodies. Hence, the motorcar and insect both experience the same force. Since the mass of the insect is very small compared to the motorcar, it suffers a huge change of velocity as compared to the car. Due to this, insect dies. Hence, Akhtar's statement is false.

Rahul's Statement:

As discussed before, both the motorcar and the insect experience the same force and change in momentum. Hence, Rahul's statement is correct.