A small car meshes with a large truck in a head-on collision.Which of the following statements concerning the magnitude of the average force during the collision is correct?
A)There is a greater average force exerted on the truck.
B)There is a greater average force exerted on the small car.
C)There is the same magnitude average force exerted on both the small car and the truck.
D)The force exerted on each object is inversely proportional to its mass.
E)The force exerted on each object is directly proportional to its mass.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this collision, the small car exerts a force on the truck, and the truck exerts an equal and opposite force on the small car. Therefore, the magnitude of the average force exerted on both the small car and the truck is the same. The force exerted on each object is not affected by the mass of the object. Therefore, options D and E can be eliminated. Option A and B cannot be correct as they suggest a different magnitude of force on each object, which goes against Newton's third law.

A Small Car Meshes with a Large Truck in a Head-On