Question

Period: Two vehicles are driving through a thick fog at constant speeds. The concrete transport truck has a total mass of 22,000 kg and is moving at 20 m/s. Sadly, the driver of the Tesla (mass 1325 kg ), has drifted into the oncoming lane and will be moving at 25 m/s in the opposite direction when the two hit head-on. Write a short paragraph describing the forces that would act on each vehicle, whether an elastic or inelastic collision would be better for each passenger, and a description of how various safety features of the modem cars might make it possible for the Tesla driver to survive (although if he doesn't, all we've lost is someone who drives a Tesia). Be sure to use your understanding of physics to explain all of the above.

Answer 1

In a head-on collision between the concrete transport truck and the Tesla, various forces would act on each vehicle. The concrete transport truck would experience a greater force due to its larger mass. Whether an elastic or inelastic collision would be better for each passenger depends on the safety features of the vehicles.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a head-on collision between the concrete transport truck and the Tesla, various forces would act on each vehicle. These forces include the force of the impact and the force of friction between the vehicles and the road. The concrete transport truck would experience a greater force due to its larger mass compared to the Tesla.

Whether an elastic or inelastic collision would be better for each passenger depends on the safety features of the vehicles. In an elastic collision, the kinetic energy is conserved, which could result in greater forces acting on the passengers. In an inelastic collision, the kinetic energy is not conserved, but the vehicles can deform and absorb some of the impact, potentially reducing the forces experienced by the passengers.

Modern cars are equipped with various safety features that could help the Tesla driver survive the collision. These features include crumple zones designed to absorb and distribute impact forces, seat belts to restrain the driver's movement, airbags to provide additional protection, and reinforced frames to maintain the structural integrity of the vehicle.