Question

You drive a bumper car into another bumper car whose driver has a much larger body mass that you do. Who experiences more of a jolt, you or the other driver? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

You because you are the person who is going really fast and you are heading for them

Answer 2

You

Step-by-step explanation:

Let us say that you weigh 'm' kilograms and the other person weighs M kilogram. He has larger mass than you. i.e.,

M > m

You are moving with a velocity 'u' and the other driver is at rest.

As per the principle of conservation of momentum, upon collision, the momentum lost by 'you & your truck' is equal to the momentum gained by the other 'driver and his truck'. i.e.,

MΔv = mΔu

`(M)/(m) =(\Delta u)/(\Delta v)`

Since M > m

`(M)/(m) >1\\`

So

`(\Delta u)/(\Delta v) >1\\\Delta u > \Delta v`

Since the change in velocity is larger for you, you will experience more of a jolt.