I always thought that 2 cars hitting each other head on both going 50mph would be equal to 1 car going 100mpg and hitting a wall.
Turns out its not true.
2 cars traveling at 50mph and hitting each other head on is only equal to a 50mph crash into a wall.
The reason, Newtons 3rd law. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Because you have 2 cars hitting each other that energy is transferred equally into both cars. Whereas a car hitting a wall at 100mph, all that energy can only be transferred to the 1 car.
Bottom line, hitting a wall at 100mph causes a shit load more damage then 2 cars hitting each other head on both traveling 50mph.
Turns out its not true.
2 cars traveling at 50mph and hitting each other head on is only equal to a 50mph crash into a wall.
The reason, Newtons 3rd law. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Because you have 2 cars hitting each other that energy is transferred equally into both cars. Whereas a car hitting a wall at 100mph, all that energy can only be transferred to the 1 car.
Bottom line, hitting a wall at 100mph causes a shit load more damage then 2 cars hitting each other head on both traveling 50mph.

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