Suppose a child drives a bumper car head on into the side rail, which exerts a force of 2400 N

Question

Suppose a child drives a bumper car head-on into a side rail, which exerts a force of 2400 N on the car for a duration of 0.500 seconds. Assume the initial velocity of the car is in the positive direction.
(a) What is the impulse (in kg·m/s) imparted by this force? Indicate the direction using the sign of your answer.
(b) What is the final velocity (in m/s) of the bumper car if its initial velocity was 2.90 m/s and the combined mass of the car and driver is 200 kg? Neglect any friction between the car and the floor, and indicate the direction using the sign of your answer.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

As the bumper car hits the side rail, its velocity will decrease. This means the force is negative.

There are two equations for impulse.

Eq#1, Impulse = Force * time

Eq#2, Impulse = Mass * Change of velocity

This is the change of momentum.

Impulse = -2400 * 0.5 = -1200 kg * m/s

(b)

Find the final velocity (in m/s) of the bumper car if its initial velocity was 2.90 m/s and the car plus driver have a mass of 200 kg. You may neglect friction between the car and floor. (Indicate the direction with the sign of your answer.)

m/s

The first step is to determine the acceleration.

-2400 = 200 * a

a = -12 m/s^2

Let’s use the following equation to determine the final velocity.

vf = vi + a * t

vf = 2.90 + -12 * 0.5 = -3.1 m/s

The negative sign means the bumper car is moving away from the side rail after the collision. I hope this is helpful for you.

Dale Gaylord

Suppose a child drives a bumper car head on into the side rail, which exerts a force of 2400 N

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