Answer to Question #98305 in Physics for Luis

Question

You are a world-famous physical lawyer who defends a client who has been injured in a traffic accident. His client's car was hit from behind by another vehicle while he was in custody. The judge who is taking the case, argues that if the vehicle of the affected had been in motion, the injuries would not have been so serious. Is the judge correct? Or do you think you can win this case? Investigate and raise your arguments, based on collisions in one dimension.

Answer 1

If the client’s machine is badly damaged, then, apparently, the impact was inelastic and the kinetic energy of the moving machine was absorbed during the deformation of machine elements. Thus, after the strike, the cars did not move at a noticeable speed and did not pose a danger to other participants in the movement.

If both cars were moving at the moment of impact, then as a result of a collision they could lose control and immediately collide with other participants in the movement, including those moving in the oncoming lane.

Obviously, in the second case, the consequences could be significantly worse.