TBR Physics: Impulse Confusion

[justadream]

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TBR Physics page 218 #38


The question refers to the collision of 2 vehicles of differing masses. In the answer explanation, it says "while a heavier car has a greater impulse"

I thought in collisions, the impulses felt by the two objects were equal in magnitude (and opposite in direction)?

 

[Cawolf]

I do not have the book but just finished my mechanics course so let me give my thoughts.

Impulse (J) = Fdt = (ma)dt ----> a object with more mass will contribute a greater impulse to the collision. It is true that the collisions will result in each object experiencing an impulse with equal magnitude in the opposite direction; but each vehicle will contribute an impulse. So the impulse from the heavier car will be greater than the impulse from the lighter car.