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Chapter 4: Problem 5

A truck crashes into a stalled car. A student trying to explain the physics of this event claims that no forces are involved; the car was just "in the way" so it got hit. Comment.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The claim that no forces were involved in the accident is incorrect. Based on Newton's laws of motion, a force had to be exerted on the stalled car for it to move from its stationary position. The moving truck exerted this force on the car when it crashed into it.

Step by step solution

01

- Understanding the Scenario

First, it is important to understand the situation - a moving truck hits a stationary car. Initially, the car was at rest but after being hit, it moves. To change from a state of rest to a state of motion, a force must act upon it. This is in accordance with Newton's first law of motion.
02

- Apply Newton’s Second Law

Newton's second law states: The acceleration of an object as produced by a net force is directly proportional to the magnitude of the net force, in the same direction as the net force, and inversely proportional to the mass of the object. This means, for the car to accelerate (move from rest), a force must have been exerted on it.
03

- Analyzing the Effect of the Truck

When the truck hits the car, it exerts a force on the car. The car starts to move in the direction it was hit. This indicates that a force was indeed present. The truck, because of its motion, carried a certain amount of momentum and energy. When it hits the car, part of this energy is transferred to the car, accelerating it. This again proves the application of force.

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