Difficulty: Hard

Average Score: 33%

A heavy truck and light car travel toward each other at the same speed and collide head-on.

What happens to both cars if the collision is inelastic?

Rationale

The vehicles stick together and move in the direction the truck was moving.

In an inelastic collision, momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not. When a heavy truck and a light car collide head-on and stick together, they will move as a single unit in the direction of the heavier vehicle, which is the truck in this case.

A (The vehicles stick together and move in the direction the truck was moving.) CORRECT

This is correct because, in an inelastic collision, two objects that collide stick together, and the direction of their combined motion will be influenced by the momentum of the heavier vehicle. Since the truck is heavier, the resulting motion will be in the truck's direction.

B (The vehicles move apart at the same speed.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement is incorrect because, in an inelastic collision, the vehicles do not separate after the collision; they stick together. The idea of moving apart at the same speed implies an elastic collision, which conserves kinetic energy, unlike inelastic collisions.

C (The vehicles stick together and move in the direction the car was moving.) YOUR ANSWER

This option is also incorrect. While it is true that the vehicles stick together, the direction of their movement will be dictated by the heavier vehicle, which is the truck. Therefore, they cannot move in the direction of the lighter car.

D (The vehicles stick together and don't move.) YOUR ANSWER

This choice is incorrect because, although the vehicles do stick together, they will not remain stationary after the collision. They will move in the direction of the truck due to its greater mass and momentum.

Conclusion

In a head-on inelastic collision between a heavy truck and a light car, the vehicles will stick together and move in the direction of the truck. This outcome is a direct result of the principles of momentum conservation, where the heavier truck's momentum predominates, ensuring that their combined mass moves forward rather than remaining stationary or moving in the direction of the lighter vehicle.

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