What would happen if two unstoppable objects collided head on?

Question

I like this question. I will continue asking until someone answers correctly.

P.S. The answer is not that they bounce back in opposite directions because reversing course involves a momentary velocity of zero, during which the objects (even if only infinitesimally briefly) are stopped.

pope33: Who said anything about an immovable object?

Scarlet Manuka: The objects collide, so they can't also pass through each other. These are objects, not massless particles.

arn_14: The answer will be revealed... eventually.

Monica G: That information is irrelevant. All you need to know is that these are unstoppable objects that collide head on. Did you give me a thumbs down?

Answer 1

I disagree with the notion that this is a physics question. What gives these objects their property of "unstoppability?" The concept of unstoppability is not physical, it's philosophical. Clarify the nature of this system of objects using valid physical concepts.

Answer 2

Actually, this situation is very commonplace and happens all the time, if you think about it.

The correct answer is that they pass through each other and continue on; while occupying the same region they produce a waveform that is the sum of the incident waveforms.

Think of two photons, or even two waves on a string: they pass though each other and continue on unchanged. Photons are a particularly good example, since they are indeed unstoppable (except by being absorbed); as massless particles they always travel at the speed of light.

Answer 3

The Text Book Answer:
You can not have two unstoppable objects colide in the same universe. The problem is not in your question but in the assumption that the two objects can exist by your assumtions.

That is why it seems a paradox, it is an impossible scenerio.

My favorite:
If nothing is greater than God,
and
a Ham Sandwich is greater than nothing.
then
a Ham Sandwich is greater than God.

Answer 4

The kinetic energy of the moving object will be absorbed by the immovable object (as i understand it, it is fixed right?)...now the immovable object will release the energy back to the moving object. That is why a moving object will bounce back if it hits a fixed object.

Answer 5

Since there is no such thing as an unstoppable object the answer is either:

1) This is a meaningless question
2) The fabric of the universe is coming unraveled and we are doomed, doomed I say!

Answer 6

they'll pass through each other. the next question that I am inclined to ask is what kind of effect can two unstoppable objects passing through each other have on each other. these effects cannot include any change in direction, velocity, or mass, so what is left to effect or alter?

Answer 7

There is not enough information given. It depends on the initial velocities of each object and their weights. Collision and impulse properties stand: the collision will either be an elastic, inelastic, perfectly elastic, or perfectly inelastic collision. This, again, all depends on their initial velocites and their masses.

Answer 8

I think the two objects will be pulverized their particles would still be moving since you didnt say that thet are indestructable but i still have some doubts on my answer can you tell me what will happen hehehe

Answer 9

If equal in mass, velocity and inertia they both would come to a stop.

Kind of like the Democrats and Republicans.

Answer 10

they will be mixed and every part will enter between other parts of the other body but without stopping an then every body will go in his direction without any change