Suzuki Bandits Australia
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Combined Speed

+7
Chook
Bosco15
reddog
2wheelsagain
Ewok1958
Hammy
truck
11 posters

Go down

Combined Speed Empty Combined Speed

Post  truck Wed 30 Jul 2014, 10:06 am

OK, this might be a bit different to the usual stuff that gets discussed on here but I was having a discussion with a work colleague -

If a vehicle travelling 100klm/h North has a collision with another vehicle travelling South at 100klm/h, is the speed at the point of impact 200klm/h or is it 100klm/h?

I thought it was 100klm/h as I think it would be the same as a having a head on with an immovable object but my colleague believes it to be 200klm/h due to the kinnetic energy.
He said mythbusters did a episode on it but I cannot locate the episode.

Any pointers appreciated,

truck
truck
truck

Posts : 697
Join date : 2011-04-14
Age : 58
Location : Queensland Proud!!

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  Hammy Wed 30 Jul 2014, 10:09 am

200.  It is the combined speed.  Imagine if one was going in reverse at 99kph. The impact would only be 1kph.  Laughing

_________________
Non Compus Mentis.    "Not of Sound Mind" .
Hammy
Hammy

Posts : 4446
Join date : 2011-08-09
Age : 64
Location : The Rock

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  Ewok1958 Wed 30 Jul 2014, 10:18 am

Yep, I seem to remember from Year 11 physics that kinetic energy is determined by the formula E = 1/2 x M x V x V (ie one half mass times velocity squared).  Bring two lots of that together at 100kmph and it's quite a mess, as almost none of the energy is dissipated by crumple zones.
Ewok1958
Ewok1958

Posts : 3940
Join date : 2010-08-03
Age : 65
Location : Bega, NSW

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  2wheelsagain Wed 30 Jul 2014, 10:36 am

I'll chuck in something to think about that was put to me in my yr 11 physics class.
The speed is 200km/h but my teacher posed the question (because we were young hoons Laughing) would you prefer to take on another car at 100km/h or a big old red gum at 200km/h?
While not disputing Ewok's suggestion above some energy is absorbed by another vehicle. I think a tree would make more of a mess. The end result is probably the same but the kinetic energy is different.

_________________
My posts reflect my personal  experience or opinion. You don't have to agree with me.
~ Chris ~
~ 0466 Ask ~
~ My Photography Blog Page ~
~ My YouTube Channel ~
~ Suzuki Bandits Australia Facebook Page ~
~ Half hr from the hills. Two minutes from the coast ~

~ My Bike ~
 BMW R1250RS
2wheelsagain
2wheelsagain
Admin

Posts : 6390
Join date : 2009-08-26
Age : 59
Location : Sale Area Vic

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU-axKVr_wDILSSK0-8GQ1A

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  reddog Wed 30 Jul 2014, 11:39 am

The problem with the tree is you are exerting the same force on a much smaller surface. Thus it'll tear the car in two rather than crumple
reddog
reddog

Posts : 2523
Join date : 2010-09-27
Age : 46
Location : Allanson WA

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  Bosco15 Wed 30 Jul 2014, 11:54 am

Here's a head scratcher, while we're on the subject.  
Two cars traveling along a straight road in the same direction. 
The first car is 1km in front of the second & traveling at X km/h
The second car is traveling at 2X km/h. ie. Twice the speed of the first car. 
So,  when the second car has traveled 1km and is now where the first car was. The first car has traveled 500m furher along the road. The distance between the cars has halved. 
The second car travels another 500m to be where the first car was. The first car has traveled 250m further along the road.  The distance between them has halved.  
The second car travels 250m to be where the first Car was. The first car has done another 125m . The distance between them has halved. 
You get to a point where the second car travels 1cm and the first 5mm and on and on
Will they ever collide?

_________________
Some people are like slinkys. Not good for anything but they make you smile when you push them down the stairs.
Bosco15
Bosco15

Posts : 1359
Join date : 2013-12-04
Age : 54
Location : Newcastle

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  truck Wed 30 Jul 2014, 12:21 pm

reddog
The problem with the tree is you are exerting the same force on a much smaller surface. Thus it'll tear the car in two rather than crumple
Yes, but what if the tree was a immovable oversize object with no crumple zone matching the same surface area of said vehicle? And that is where I am unable to comprehend the combined speed formulae. I see it as impact speed of 100 rather than combined speed of the 2 vehicles at point of impact, though I feel science disagrees with my point of view.  scratch 
How young are you blokes that you can remember physics?  Very Happy  
Bosco15 wrote:Here's a head scratcher, while we're on the subject.  
Two cars traveling along a straight road in the same direction. 
The first car is 1km in front of the second & traveling at X km/h
The second car is traveling at 2X km/h. ie. Twice the speed of the first car. 
So,  when the second car has traveled 1km and is now where the first car was. The first car has traveled 500m furher along the road. The distance between the cars has halved. 
The second car travels another 500m to be where the first car was. The first car has traveled 250m further along the road.  The distance between them has halved.  
The second car travels 250m to be where the first Car was. The first car has done another 125m . The distance between them has halved. 
You get to a point where the second car travels 1cm and the first 5mm and on and on
Will they ever collide?
Yes?
truck
truck

Posts : 697
Join date : 2011-04-14
Age : 58
Location : Queensland Proud!!

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  2wheelsagain Wed 30 Jul 2014, 12:31 pm

Bosco15 wrote:Here's a head scratcher, while we're on the subject.  
Two cars traveling along a straight road in the same direction. 
The first car is 1km in front of the second & traveling at X km/h
The second car is traveling at 2X km/h. ie. Twice the speed of the first car. 
So,  when the second car has traveled 1km and is now where the first car was. The first car has traveled 500m furher along the road. The distance between the cars has halved. 
The second car travels another 500m to be where the first car was. The first car has traveled 250m further along the road.  The distance between them has halved.  
The second car travels 250m to be where the first Car was. The first car has done another 125m . The distance between them has halved. 
You get to a point where the second car travels 1cm and the first 5mm and on and on
Will they ever collide?

They will only collide if driver 2 is texting  Razz 
Your theory is only relevant if its based on time V space and not just time.
I dont know about you but I have overtaken a few vehicles in my time Laughing

_________________
My posts reflect my personal  experience or opinion. You don't have to agree with me.
~ Chris ~
~ 0466 Ask ~
~ My Photography Blog Page ~
~ My YouTube Channel ~
~ Suzuki Bandits Australia Facebook Page ~
~ Half hr from the hills. Two minutes from the coast ~

~ My Bike ~
 BMW R1250RS
2wheelsagain
2wheelsagain
Admin

Posts : 6390
Join date : 2009-08-26
Age : 59
Location : Sale Area Vic

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU-axKVr_wDILSSK0-8GQ1A

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  Bosco15 Wed 30 Jul 2014, 12:50 pm

The combined speed is 200km/h regardless of crumple zones etc. 
The crumple zones only effect the amount of energy absorbed by you. 
The more crumple,  the more energy absorbed by the car  the less energy absorbed by your body.  
Therefore, two cars, two crumple zones would be better than one car and a tree.

_________________
Some people are like slinkys. Not good for anything but they make you smile when you push them down the stairs.
Bosco15
Bosco15

Posts : 1359
Join date : 2013-12-04
Age : 54
Location : Newcastle

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  Chook Wed 30 Jul 2014, 2:20 pm

reddog wrote:The problem with the tree is you are exerting the same force on a much smaller surface. Thus it'll tear the car in two rather than crumple
The tree is also physically attached to the ground, another car isn't
Chook
Chook

Posts : 4087
Join date : 2012-01-20
Age : 59
Location : Suburban Bendigo

https://www.facebook.com/groups/154520904856/?fref=ts

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  Hammy Wed 30 Jul 2014, 3:10 pm

And if the tree fell over, would the driver in the car hear it ? Ah haa.

_________________
Non Compus Mentis.    "Not of Sound Mind" .
Hammy
Hammy

Posts : 4446
Join date : 2011-08-09
Age : 64
Location : The Rock

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  Kiwisteve Wed 30 Jul 2014, 4:10 pm

Truck, I can tell you from experience, that one vehicle travelling at 45kp/h, mine, and another travelling at 60kp/h, pissed young P plater, sure as hell feels like more than a 45kp/h impact.
Both vehicles were the same size and make.

_________________
2006 1200s
Fast red one Very Happy
Delkevic can
Cruise n Comfort seat cover
Kiwisteve
Kiwisteve

Posts : 1420
Join date : 2012-01-25
Age : 60
Location : Coffs Coast

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  Re-Cycled Wed 30 Jul 2014, 4:55 pm

2wheelsagain wrote:
Bosco15 wrote:Here's a head scratcher, while we're on the subject.  
Two cars traveling along a straight road in the same direction. 
The first car is 1km in front of the second & traveling at X km/h
The second car is traveling at 2X km/h. ie. Twice the speed of the first car. 
So,  when the second car has traveled 1km and is now where the first car was. The first car has traveled 500m furher along the road. The distance between the cars has halved. 
The second car travels another 500m to be where the first car was. The first car has traveled 250m further along the road.  The distance between them has halved.  
The second car travels 250m to be where the first Car was. The first car has done another 125m . The distance between them has halved. 
You get to a point where the second car travels 1cm and the first 5mm and on and on
Will they ever collide?

They will only collide if driver 2 is texting  Razz 
Your theory is only relevant if its based on time V space and not just time.
I dont know about you but I have overtaken a few vehicles in my time Laughing

'Wheels' is right you are looking at an ever decreasing time interval, say you get down to 1 billionth of a second, sure you can look at half a billionth, but one billionth of a second later it's Game Over. Smile

_________________
Cheers Peter
Combined Speed Teatim10
'96 1200s Bandit
2007 DL1000 V Strom
Re-Cycled
Re-Cycled

Posts : 2227
Join date : 2009-08-20
Age : 65
Location : Newcastle

https://www.facebook.com/groups/154520904856/

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  reddog Wed 30 Jul 2014, 6:43 pm

truck wrote:
reddog
The problem with the tree is you are exerting the same force on a much smaller surface. Thus it'll tear the car in two rather than crumple
Yes, but what if the tree was a immovable oversize object with no crumple zone matching the same surface area of said vehicle? And that is where I am unable to comprehend the combined speed formulae. I see it as impact speed of 100 rather than combined speed of the 2 vehicles at point of impact, though I feel science disagrees with my point of view.  scratch 
How young are you blokes that you can remember physics?  Very Happy  
Bosco15 wrote:Here's a head scratcher, while we're on the subject.  
Two cars traveling along a straight road in the same direction. 
The first car is 1km in front of the second & traveling at X km/h
The second car is traveling at 2X km/h. ie. Twice the speed of the first car. 
So,  when the second car has traveled 1km and is now where the first car was. The first car has traveled 500m furher along the road. The distance between the cars has halved. 
The second car travels another 500m to be where the first car was. The first car has traveled 250m further along the road.  The distance between them has halved.  
The second car travels 250m to be where the first Car was. The first car has done another 125m . The distance between them has halved. 
You get to a point where the second car travels 1cm and the first 5mm and on and on
Will they ever collide?
Yes?

I wouldn;t be worried about the speed formulae. If the tree is immovable you are totally fucked!

Have a look at people that try driving past them toll road bollards and thats at slow speed. I've seen a 30-40cm redgum split cars in half before, they seldom snap compared to jarrah which are the two main eucalypts down in the south west. Then you head further down south and see the size of some of the karri trees. You see a lot of crosses on the road so I presume they dont move far when 2 tonne of car careers into them at 100kph
reddog
reddog

Posts : 2523
Join date : 2010-09-27
Age : 46
Location : Allanson WA

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  Cal Wed 30 Jul 2014, 8:16 pm

This is from the show Mythbusters:

Two cars crashing into each other at 50 mph will result in the same damage (for each car) as a single car hitting a wall at 50 mph. confirmed

In their small scale tests, the Mythbusters compressed clay at 1x and 2x speeds. Their results showed that two objects hitting each other at 1x speed will cause 1x damage. In their full scale tests, the Mythbusters crashed two cars into a wall at 50 and 100 mph as references. They then had two cars going at 50 mph collide into each other. After surveying the results, it was clear that the two cars suffered damage identical to the car that crashed into the wall at 50 mph. The Mythbusters explained that was possible through Newton’s third law of motion. Although the total force was doubled by having two cars, that force also had to be divided between both cars during the crash.
Cal
Cal

Posts : 353
Join date : 2012-11-29
Age : 51
Location : Strathalbyn South Aust.

http://www.calvinharris.photography

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  truck Thu 31 Jul 2014, 7:40 am

Kiwisteve wrote:Truck, I can tell you from experience, that one vehicle travelling at 45kp/h, mine, and another travelling at 60kp/h, pissed young P plater, sure as hell feels like more than a 45kp/h impact.
Both vehicles were the same size and make.
I am feeling your pain Kiwisteve.  Crying or Very sad 
reddog wrote:
truck wrote:
Have a look at people that try driving past them toll road bollards and thats at slow speed. I've seen a 30-40cm redgum split cars in half before, they seldom snap compared to jarrah which are the two main eucalypts down in the south west. Then you head further down south and see the size of some of the karri trees. You see a lot of crosses on the road so I presume they dont move far when 2 tonne of car careers into them at 100kph
I understand what you are saying Bosco15 but I was more questioning the claimed combined speed at point of impact  cheers 
Cal wrote:This is from the show Mythbusters:
Two cars crashing into each other at 50 mph will result in the same damage (for each car) as a single car hitting a wall at 50 mph. confirmed
In their small scale tests, the Mythbusters compressed clay at 1x and 2x speeds. Their results showed that two objects hitting each other at 1x speed will cause 1x damage. In their full scale tests, the Mythbusters crashed two cars into a wall at 50 and 100 mph as references. They then had two cars going at 50 mph collide into each other. After surveying the results, it was clear that the two cars suffered damage identical to the car that crashed into the wall at 50 mph. The Mythbusters explained that was possible through Newton’s third law of motion. Although the total force was doubled by having two cars, that force also had to be divided between both cars during the crash.
Thanks Cal, I may be wrong but that last sentence is along the lines of what I was thinking  study
truck
truck

Posts : 697
Join date : 2011-04-14
Age : 58
Location : Queensland Proud!!

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  spanna Fri 01 Aug 2014, 5:11 pm

Sorry to chime in so late in the conversation, but have you considered that if you were travelling faster then there would be no impact.... on account of the fact that you would be 0.5 km up the road.
Sorry... this conversation was getting too serious! Laughing
spanna
spanna

Posts : 151
Join date : 2014-03-31
Age : 63
Location : Endeavour Hills, Vic.

Back to top Go down

Combined Speed Empty Re: Combined Speed

Post  Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum