A large truck traveling at +15 m/s collides head-on with a small car traveling at -15 m/s, which of the following statements is correct?
a) the large truck will experience the greater impulse
b) the small car will experience the greater impulse
c) the magnitude of the impulses for both vehicles is the same
To determine which vehicle will experience the greater impulse, we need to analyze the concept of impulse and its relation to momentum. Impulse is defined as the change in momentum of an object and can be calculated using the equation:
Impulse = Change in Momentum
Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
Given that the large truck is traveling at a velocity of +15 m/s and the small car is traveling at a velocity of -15 m/s, we can compare their momenta:
Momentum (large truck) = mass (large truck) × velocity (large truck)
Momentum (small car) = mass (small car) × velocity (small car)
Since the question doesn't provide information about the masses of the vehicles, we cannot directly compare their momenta. However, we can compare the magnitudes of their velocities.
The magnitudes of the velocities for both vehicles are the same because the magnitude refers only to the absolute value of the velocity, regardless of the direction.
Therefore, we can conclude that the magnitude of the impulses for both vehicles is the same (option c).