Chapter 7 Linear Momentum

Answer sheet.

1.  It used to be common wisdom to build cars to be as rigid as possible to withstand collisions.  Today, though, cars are designed to have "crumple zones" that collapse upon impact.  What advantage does this have?

2. Suppose the astronaut working on the Hubble telescope got himself completely loose of the shuttle and threw away a 2 kg hammer at 2 m/s.  Could the astronaut remain at rest?  If not, how fast would he be moving?  How could he stop himself from drifting away?

3. Think fast!  You've just driven around a curve in a narrow, one-way street at 25 mph when you notice a car identical to yours coming straight toward you at 25 mph.  You have only two options:  hitting the other car head on or swerving into a massive concrete wall, also head on.  In the split second before the impact, you decide to

a.) hit the other car.

b.) hit the wall.

c.) hit either one--it makes no difference.

d.) consult your lecture notes.

4. Are there any thoughts you wish to share, whether they are about this assignment, the reading (what seems impossible, what makes no sense, what you'd like to spend time on in class, what you really found interesting etc) or the course?