Collision 3: Equal Masses

Two bumper cars are in a collision. Each car has a mass of 300 kilograms. In the red car is a man with a mass of 70 kilograms. In the green car is a man who also has a mass of 70 kilograms. The red car has a velocity twice that of the green car. They collide head-on.

What does the collision look like? Select one of the two outcomes below.

 

The cars hit each other and bounce in opposite directions.

The cars hit each other and are deflected off each other at an angle.

 

 

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"Amusement Park Physics" is inspired by programs from The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond.