Momentum and Collisions: Understanding the Laws of Physics

What is the magnitude of the net external force acting on the system above?

Is the collision elastic or inelastic?

Calculate the mass of the construction vehicle if the cement bags have a mass of 100 kg.

Answer:

The magnitude of the net external force acting on the system is 0 N. The collision is inelastic. The mass of the construction vehicle is 2320 kg.

Understanding momentum and collisions is crucial in physics. In the given scenario, we have a car colliding with a construction vehicle. Let's break down the answers to the questions posed:

Net External Force:

According to the impulse-momentum theorem, the change in momentum is equal to the impulse applied to the system. Since the system is isolated, the net external force acting on the system is zero. Therefore, the magnitude of the net external force is 0 N.

Mass of the Construction Vehicle:

To calculate the mass of the construction vehicle, we can use the conservation of momentum principle. The total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. By setting these equal, we find that the mass of the construction vehicle is 2320 kg.

Elastic or Inelastic Collision:

To determine whether the collision is elastic or inelastic, we can calculate the coefficient of restitution. In an inelastic collision, the coefficient of restitution is less than 1, indicating that some kinetic energy is lost and objects may stick together or deform. In this case, the coefficient of restitution is 0.231, confirming that the collision is inelastic.

It's fascinating to see how the laws of physics govern the outcomes of collisions, showcasing the importance of momentum conservation and understanding the nature of different types of collisions.