[trackgirlee]

physics... aka the class I want desperately to pass lol! A little help on this one problem would be very appreciated.

out of these two cars which occupants would sustain worst injuries when running into an array of fitch barriers (sand filled barrels on a highway)?
car 1-mass=1200 kg, velocity=50 km/h, momentum=60,000 kg-km/h
car 2-mass=1500 kg, velocity=40 km/h, momentum=60,000 kg-km/h

thanks a bunch =]

[Capuchin]

Hi!

I believe that in order to work out the injuries of the occupants, you need to take into account the momentum of the passengers, rather than the momentum in the car.

I hope that makes the solution obvious now! :)

[k8card]

Id say car one it`s just logic the lighter faster moving object with same momentum is going to creat more damage to the passangers than a heavyer slower moving object

[BrandonGT]

Yeah, cap's got it, the massive, slower moving car is going to impart less of it's force onto the occupants, aka, it will plow through the barriers. The lighter, faster car willl impart more force onto it's occupants. So both the speed and the mass is working against the occupants of the smaller car.