Is a 50-50 head on crash the same as 100-0 crash?

[@Meepoli]

Simple terms: Two cars of equal mass. 1. If A goes 50mph into B that’s stationary, both go 25mph in the same direction. Both passengers experience a 25mph deceleration. 2. If A and B both go 50mph into each other, both face a 50mph deceleration as they stop on collision. 3. If A goes into a wall at 50mph, A goes from 50 to 0, a 50mph deceleration. So two cars both going into each other at 50mph is the same as one car hitting a wall at 50mph, but hitting a wall is much worse than hitting a car that you can actually push back.

[@Thkfast]

What if “A” is a passenger car and “B” is a large SUV? Example: Nissan Maxima vs GMC Yukon?

[@mitsuturbo]

Thanks. Now it's about as clear as mud to a dummy like me. I'll be looking for a dumbed down version because while i understand numbers and variables in the automotive engine machine tool space, this is beyond my comprehension.

[@1MopedDave]

Great video first of all! I am by no means a mathematician but around the 14 minute mark… you lost me. Saying that (2) cars in motion at 50 meters per second (in a head on collision) have the same kinetic energy/damage result as a car traveling at a 100 meters per second in a head on with a stationary car absolutely = very different results. Driver A and Driver B will not only experience extremely different G forces, but displacement of energy will be more detrimental to Driver B. Two equal masses colliding at the same speed, creates a “zero factor”(based on the assumption they connect at dead center)… but the same masses, where one is doubled the speed and one is stationary, you have to account for momentum of Driver A vs the absorption of energy on Driver B. You’re way smarter than me but just my 2 cents.

[@bluesix2843]

🤯 No idea why I watched all of this as I didn’t understand a word of it 😂 especially when at 10.43 you draw an arrow pointing left when saying right 😩

[@johnpindelski6558]

Completely failed to answer the question. No doubt why Mythbusters passed on your help on this one.

[@henricopter.]

bruh why you gotta be so rude. He literally did answer the question.

[@richardthomas1531]

Sure, Zero? Oh , great NO Damage. Since cars are more shaped like wedges than walls .Your whole idea goes out the window like your passengers. A real crash test would show more people would survive if they hit a wall.

[@bottmar1]

The stupid mathematics just makes the obvious difficult to understand. (As when vehicles weights/speeds are the same.)Math would help calculate the vehicle estimated position at rest after two vehicles hit that were going at different speeds. That might help the police determine if only one driver deserves a speeding ticket, etc.