Akhtar, Kiran and Rahul were riding in a motorcar that was moving with a high velocity on an expressway when an insect hit the windshield and got stuck on the windscreen. Akhtar and Kiran started pondering over the situation. Kiran suggested that the insect suffered a greater change in momentum as compared to the change in momentum of the motorcar (because the change in the velocity of the insect was much more than that of the motorcar). Akhtar said that since the motorcar was moving with a larger velocity, it exerted a larger force on the insect. And as a result the insect died. Rahul while putting an entirely new explanation said that both the motorcar and the insect experienced the same force and a change in their momentum. Comment on these suggestions.
Solution and Explanation
The explanation given by Rahul is correct, as there is no external force on the system, so both the insect and motorcar experienced the same force and a change in momentum.
Top Questions on Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
- An object experiences a net zero external unbalanced force. Is it possible for the object to be travelling with a non-zero velocity? If yes, state the conditions that must be placed on the magnitude and direction of the velocity. If no, provide a reason.
- CBSE Class IX
- Science
- Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
- Using a horizontal force of 200 N, we intend to move a wooden cabinet across a floor at a constant velocity. What is the friction force that will be exerted on the cabinet?
- CBSE Class IX
- Science
- Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
- In the following example, try to identify the number of times the velocity of the ball changes: “A football player kicks a football to another player of his team who kicks the football towards the goal. The goalkeeper of the opposite team collects the football and kicks it towards a player of his own team”. Also identify the agent supplying the force in each case.
- CBSE Class IX
- Science
- Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
Questions Asked in CBSE Class IX exam
- Explain what the reasons for the following are.
(i) Einstein leaving the school in Munich for good.
(ii) Einstein wanting to study in Switzerland rather than in Munich.
(iii) Einstein seeing in Mileva an ally.
(iv) What do these tell you about Einstein?- CBSE Class IX
- A truly beautiful mind
- (i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)- CBSE Class IX
- The snake and the mirror
In Fig. 9.26, A, B, C and D are four points on a circle. AC and BD intersect at a point E such that ∠ BEC = 130° and ∠ ECD = 20°. Find ∠ BAC.
- CBSE Class IX
- Angle Subtended by an Arc of a Circle
- Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.
- CBSE Class IX
- Kathmandu
Look up the dictionary entries for the words sympathy, familiarity, comfort, care, and surprise. Use the information given in the dictionary and complete the table.
Noun, Adjective, Adverb, Verb, Meaning:
sympathy
familiarity
comfort
care
surprise- CBSE Class IX
- If I were you
Concepts Used:
Laws of Motion
The laws of motion, which are the keystone of classical mechanics, are three statements that defined the relationships between the forces acting on a body and its motion. They were first disclosed by English physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton.
Newton’s First Law of Motion
Newton’s 1st law states that a body at rest or uniform motion will continue to be at rest or uniform motion until and unless a net external force acts on it.
Newton’s Second Law of Motion
Newton's 2nd law of motion deals with the relation between force and acceleration. According to the second law of motion, the acceleration of an object as built by a net force is directly proportional to the magnitude of the net force, in the same direction as the net force, and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion
Newton's 3rd law of motion states when a body applies a force on another body that there is an equal and opposite reaction for every action.