A large truck and a car, both moving with a velocity of magnitude `v`, have a head-on collision and both of them come to a halt after that. If the collision lasts for `1s` :
(a) Which vehicle experiences the greater force of impact?
(b) which vehicle experiences the greater change in momentum?
(c ) which vehicle experiences the greater acceleration?
(d) why is the car likely to suffer more damage than the truck?

Explanation

(a) As the action (force) and reaction (force) are equal and opposite, both the vehicles experience the same force on collision.
(b) Since the change in momentum of truck is equal and opposite to the change in momentum of car, both the vehicles experience equal change in momentum.
(c) As the force on each vehicle is the same but the mass of car is smaller than the truck, therefore, the car experiences the greater acceleration (or greater retardation) (because a =`F/m`)
(d) Since the car is much lighter than the truck, therefore, the car is likely to suffer more damage during the collision than the truck (The car has greater retardation than the truck).