Car Crash WebQuest Challenge

[Guest svf27]

In this challenge a 3000kg SUV hit an Outback Wagon (2000kg) while it was stopped at a stop sign. The SUV skidded 2m while the Outback skidded 24m after being hit. The velocity of the SUV immediately following the collision was 2.83 m/s. The velocity of the wagon immediately following the collision was 12 m/s. We determined these answers by using kinematic equations because we knew the final velocity, acceleration, and distance. Using the equation Vi^2=Vf^2-2ad we were able to solve for Vi to determine the velocity immediately following the collision.

Next we determined the momentum immediately following the collision by using P=MV. The momentum of the SUV immediately after the collision was 8490 kg*m/s. The momentum of the wagon immediately after the collision was 24000 kg*m/s.

The momentum of the wagon immediately before the collision was 0 because it was stopped at the stop sign. The momentum of the SUV immediately before the collision was 32490 kg*m/s because momentum must be conserved before and after the collision; so you add the momentums of the wagon and SUV after the collision to determine the momentum before.

The speed of the wagon before the collision is 0 because it is stopped at the stop sign. The speed of the SUV can be determined with the equation V=P/M which gave us a result of 10.83 m/s which is can be converted to 38.98 km/hr. Therefore the SUV was speeding when it hit the wagon.

Developed by: Shauna Iryna Alec