Final answer:
The correct answer is A: The truck applies the same magnitude force on the Mini as the Mini applies to the truck, which is consistent with Newton's third law of motion. Both the truck and Mini exert equal and opposite forces on each other, regardless of their masses.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Newton's third law of motion, when a 10 tonne truck collides with an unoccupied and stationary Mini, both the truck and the Mini apply forces of equal magnitude but in opposite directions to each other. Therefore, the correct answer is A: The truck applies the same magnitude force on the Mini as the Mini applies to the truck.
Misconception alert: It may seem intuitive to think that the larger truck applies a greater force to the smaller Mini because of its greater mass. However, Newton's third law clearly states that regardless of the mass of the objects involved, the forces exerted on each other are equal and opposite. The larger mass of the truck does not change the magnitude of the force it exerts or experiences.
When considering the effects of the collision, the truck may experience less acceleration compared to the Mini due to its higher mass, but the magnitude of the force it applies to the Mini is the same as the magnitude of the force the Mini applies to the truck.