During the collision of a car with a large truck, the truck exertsan equal size

Question

During the collision of a car with a large truck, the truck exertsan equal size force on the car as the car exerts on the truck.
In order not to slow down, an object moving at a constant velocityneeds a small net force applied.
During the collision of a car with a large truck, the car exerts alesser force on the truck than the truck exerts on the car.
If a net force acts on an object, the object's velocity willchange.
The net force which acts on an object which maintains a constantvelocity is zero.

Explanation / Answer

By Newton's third law, Ftruck = Fcar.The forces on the two colliding objects (car and truck) are thesame size. For both car and truck, it is true thatFnet = ma. The truckhas a BIG mass M; the car has a small mass m. Since each objectsexperiences the same sized force F during thecollision, each must have the same size mass* acceleration. If massis big, acceleration must be small; if mass is small, accelerationmust be big: M a = m A. Because of its small mass, the car experiences a much greateracceleration during the collision, and it is this sudden change invelocity which injures its occupant.

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