Impulse Bug Quizzizz

Suppose you are traveling in a bus at highway speed on a nice summer day and the momentum of an unlucky bug is suddenly changed as it splatters onto the front windshield.

Assuming the bug and bus are moving at 10 m/s towards each other, which has a momentum of greater magnitude?

• THE BUG

• THE BUS

• Both momentums are equal

• Both momentums are zero

Answer explanation

Momentum (p) = mass x velocity. If they have the same velocity, the object with the greater mass (in this case, the bus) has a larger momentum.

Suppose you are traveling in a bus at highway speed on a nice summer day and the momentum of an unlucky bug is suddenly changed as it splatters onto the front windshield.

Which of the following FORCES is greater?

• The force by the bus ON THE BUG

• The force by the bug ON THE BUS

• Both forces are equal

• Both forces are zero

Answer explanation

Newton's third law says that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. So, the force by the bus on the bug must be equal and opposite to the force by the bug on the bus.

Suppose you are traveling in a bus at highway speed on a nice summer day and the momentum of an unlucky bug is suddenly changed as it splatters onto the front windshield.

Which of the following IMPULSES is greater?

• The impuse by the bus ON THE BUG

• The impulse by the bug ON THE BUS

• Both impulses are equal

• Both impulses are zero

Answer explanation

Impulse (J) = force x time. We know that the forces are equal and opposite. They are in the same collision, so time is the same. So, impulse must be equal (an opposite).

Suppose you are traveling in a bus at highway speed on a nice summer day and the momentum of an unlucky bug is suddenly changed as it splatters onto the front windshield.

Which of the following CHANGES IN MOMENTUM is greater?

• The change in momentum of THE BUG

• The change in momentum of THE BUS

• Both changes in momentum are equal

• Both changes in momentum are zero

Answer explanation

Impulse is equal to change in momentum. If they have the same impulse, they must have the same change in momentum!

Suppose you are traveling in a bus at highway speed on a nice summer day and the momentum of an unlucky bug is suddenly changed as it splatters onto the front windshield.

Which of the following CHANGES IN VELOCITY is greater?

• The change in velocity of THE BUG

• The change in velocity of THE BUS

• Both changes in velocity are equal

• Both changes in velocity are zero

Answer explanation

Both have the same change in momentum. Change in momentum Δp = mΔv. So if Δp must be the same, a SMALLER mass m means a GREATER change in velocity. The bug has a smaller mass, and therefore a greater change in velocity.

Suppose you are traveling in a bus at highway speed on a nice summer day and the momentum of an unlucky bug is suddenly changed as it splatters onto the front windshield.

Which of the following ACCELERATIONS is greater?

• The change acceleration of THE BUG

• The change in acceleration of THE BUS

• Both accelerations are equal

• Both accelerations are zero

Answer explanation

In the previous question, we said that the bug had a larger change in velocity. Change in velocity over time is the definition of acceleration, so the bug also has a greater acceleration.

Suppose you are traveling in a bus at highway speed on a nice summer day and the momentum of an unlucky bug is suddenly changed as it splatters onto the front windshield.

Which experiences the most damage?

• THE BUG

• THE BUS

• Both experience equal damage

• Both experience zero damage

Answer explanation

The bug, of course!

Suppose you are traveling in a bus at highway speed on a nice summer day and the momentum of an unlucky bug is suddenly changed as it splatters onto the front windshield.

What causes damage in a collision?

• Mass

• Acceleration

• Force

• Impulse

Answer explanation

The bus and bug have the same force and impulse, so it cannot be those. Mass does not directly impact damage. However, what the bug notably experiences is more acceleration, so this is why it gets more hurt.