Question

How specifically is kinetic energy lost during a car crash?

Answer 1

Answer + Explanation:

During a car crash, kinetic energy is lost through various forms of deformation of the vehicle and the generation of heat.

When a car collides with another object, the force of the impact causes the vehicle's body and structure to deform. This deformation absorbs some of the kinetic energy and converts it into other forms of energy, such as heat and sound.

In addition, friction between the moving parts of the car and between the car and the road can also generate heat, which absorbs some of the kinetic energy.

The amount of kinetic energy lost during a car crash depends on the mass of the vehicle, the speed at which it was traveling, and the type and severity of the collision. In general, higher speeds and more severe collisions result in greater kinetic energy loss.

Answer 2

Most of the kinetic energy in the collision process is converted into the internal energy of the car, because the metal plastic deformation after the collision increases the internal energy a lot. Other kinetic energy is converted into heat energy, sound energy, etc.