Why is high speed collision between two cars would cause more damage than a low speed collision between two cars

Question

I really need help with my homework and it's due tomorrow and I really don't understand the question .

Answer 1

Hi Wendy,

Damages in collisions of two cars are caused by  forces. These forces area called impulse forces or the change in momentum of the cars in a very short time interval.

Momentum P = MV  where M is the mass of the car. The mass of the car does not change if  we consider the same car moving at high-speed and if it collides with another moving or stationary object, it will have a higher change in momentum compare to moving at a lower speed. If the changes in the momentum occur in a short time interval Δt, the impulse of force generated (F =ΔP/Δt) at high speed is greater than that produced at low speed. This force will cause more damages for high-speed collision compare to low-speed collision.