Changing Momentum

The illustrations show two ways of providing impulse to change the momentum of a vehicle. In the top illustration, the vehicle collides with a massive concrete barrier. In the bottom illustration, the vehicle collides with water-filled barrels.

*two illustrations are shown one above the other. The top illustration shows a car with a crash test dummy behind the wheel being driven into a cement barrier. The bottom illustration shows a car with a crash test dummy behind the wheel being driven into barrels containing water.*

Explain which type of crash barrier would likely produce less damage to the vehicle and less injury to the occupants.

Based on the situation described, the crash barrier that is likely to produce less damage to the vehicle and less injury to the occupants is the one shown in the bottom illustration, where the vehicle collides with water-filled barrels.

This is because the water-filled barrels are designed to absorb the impact and dissipate the vehicle's kinetic energy gradually. When the vehicle hits the barrels, the water inside compresses, which helps in slowing down the vehicle and reducing the force of the impact.

On the other hand, in the top illustration, the vehicle collides with a massive concrete barrier. Concrete is a rigid material that does not absorb the impact energy like water does. As a result, when the vehicle hits the concrete barrier, there is a sudden transfer of momentum, which can cause significant damage to the vehicle and increase the risk of injury to the occupants.

In conclusion, the crash barrier with water-filled barrels is likely to be more effective in reducing damage to the vehicle and minimizing injury to the occupants compared to a massive concrete barrier.

To determine which type of crash barrier would likely produce less damage to the vehicle and less injury to the occupants, we need to understand the concept of momentum and how it relates to collisions.

Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity, and it is a measure of its motion. When a force is applied to an object, it changes its momentum. In the case of a vehicle collision, the change in momentum is referred to as impulse.

In the top illustration, the vehicle collides with a massive concrete barrier. Concrete is a rigid material with very little give, so when a vehicle collides with it, there is a high likelihood of a sudden and violent change in momentum. This can result in a large impact force on the vehicle, leading to significant damage and potentially causing severe injuries to the occupants.

In the bottom illustration, the vehicle collides with water-filled barrels. Water is a non-rigid material and can absorb a significant amount of energy upon impact. When the vehicle hits the barrels, the water inside them will displace and absorb some of the vehicle's momentum. This dissipation of momentum reduces the impact force on the vehicle and can potentially lessen the damage to both the vehicle and the occupants.

Therefore, the crash barrier consisting of water-filled barrels would likely produce less damage to the vehicle and less injury to the occupants compared to the massive concrete barrier.