During a collision, an object experiences an impulse that changes its momentum. The impulse is equal to the momentum change. Knowing that impulse is the product of Force•∆Time and that momentum change is the product of Mass•∆Velocity, one can use the Force•∆Time = Mass•∆Velocity relationship as a guide to thinking about how alterations in m, ∆t, and ∆v affect the force in a collision.
 

There are two very similar versions of this question. This is one of the two versions:

Version 1​

Compare these two collisions of a car during a crash test.
Case A: A 1200-kg car moving at 18 m/s collides with a barrier and crumples up as it stops.
Case B: The same 1200-kg car moving at 18 m/s collides with a barrier and bounces backward with a speed of 6 m/s.
The collision time is the same for each case.



 
Which variable is different for these two cases?
Which case involves the greatest momentum change?  … the greatest impulse?  … the greatest force?

In this question, you will have to compare two collisions of a car with a wall. In one case, the car collides and rebounds backward. In the other case, the car collides, crumples and stops ... with no rebound. Here's how to think about the physics of these collisions:
 

The Variable

First you must determine what the variable is. It is either the velocity change (Delta V), the collision  or contact time, or the mass of the balls. The question tells you the two cars have the same mass and that the collision time is the same for each. So by careful reading and the process of elimination, the variable in these collisions is the velocity change. In the rebounding collision, the car encounters an 18 m/s change in velocity (from 12 m/s rightward to 6 m/s leftward). In the other case, the car changes its velocity by 12 m/s (from 12 m/s rightward to 0 m/s).
 

Momentum Change and Impulse

You will also have to compare the momentum change and the impulse encountered by these two Cases. The momentum change is your starting point. Momentum change is the mass multiplied by the velocity change. You have just determined that the rebounding collision has the greater velocity change. And since the two cars have the same mass, the rebounding collision will also have the greater momentum change.

In any collision, the momentum change is equal to the impulse. So if the rebounding collision has the greater momentum change, it will also have the greater impulse.
 

Force

Finally, you will have to use F•∆t = m•∆v to compare the Force experienced by the ball in the two collisions. So the force is the momentum change divided by the collision time ... that is, m•∆v/∆t. The numerator in this expression is the momentum change (m•∆v). You have just determined that it is greatest for the rebounding collision. The collision time (∆t) is the same for each Case. So the Case with the greatest momentum change is the Case with the greatest Force. The rebounding collision wins again​; it has the greatest Force. And perhaps surprisingly, this is why cars are designed to crumple up when there is a front-end collision. The crumpling prevents the rebounding effect and reduces the force on the passengers in the collision.
 


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