Question

A large bus and a van, both moving with a velocity of magnitude v, have a head-on-collision and both the vehicles stop after the collision. If the time of the collision is 1 sec then :
(a) Which vehicle experiences smaller force of impact ?
(b) Which vehicle experiences the smaller momentum change ?
(c) Which vehicle experiences the greater acceleration ?
(d) Why does the bus suffer less damage than the van​

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) Since the action and reaction are equal and opposite during a collision, both the vehicles experience an equal force.

(b) We are given,

Initial velocity of both the bus and the van = video Final velocity of both the bus and the van = 0 If m, and m2 are the masses of the large bus and the van respectively, where m, is much

greater than m2

Change in momentum of the bus = m, x (0–

v) = -m,v

Change in momentum of the van = m2 x (0 –

v) = -m2v

Since m, < m2, the van will experience

smaller momentum change.

(c) The force acting on a body is equal to the product of its mass and the acceleration, i.e.,

F= mass x acceleration =

a = Fm

a a 1-m

Acceleration experienced by the bus a 1 m, Acceleration experienced by the van, a 1:

m2

Since m2 <m, therefore the van experiences

greater acceleration.

(d) Due to the transfer of small momentum from the van to the bus, the bus suffers less

damage than the van.