Mechanics .... an explanation required?

Question

if 2 cars collide head-on each doing 50 mph is the impact felt by the drivers like hitting a wall at 100mph -or- does it feel like a 50mph impact, just shared by both drivers? Thank you

Answer 1

A perfectly symmetrical head-on inelastic collision of identical cars would feel just like a collision with a solid wall. Imagine a plane that is vertical and perpendicular to the vehicles' velocities (in other words, kind of like the surface of a wall) and located at the initial point of collision. Every part of one crumpling car that arrives at this plane will be met by the same part of the other car moving at the same speed (but in the opposite direction). So both cars "flatten out" on the plane, just like hitting a wall.

Answer 2

It depends on the vehicles. A solid brick wall doesn't crumple and absorb shock like a car does. The driver of a semi hitting a compact car will hardly feel a thing.

Answer 3

♦ yes, like a wall at 100mph each! No sharing!