Chapter 7, Problem 38A

A speeding bus makes contact with a bug that splatters onto the windshield. Because Of the sudden force, the unfortunate bug undergoes a sudden deceleration. Is the corresponding force that the bug exerts against the windshield greater, less, or the same? Is the resulting deceleration of the bus greater than, less than, or the same as that of the bug?

Solution

To identify: Whether the corresponding force is that the bug exerts against the windshield is greater, less or same. Also, whether the resultant deceleration of bus is greater, less or same as that of bus.

Introduction:

Single force not exist. It appears in pair. According to Newton's thirds law for every force there is equal and opposite force. Bug hits the speeding bus is an example of Newton's third law of motion.

Explanation:

Bug collide with the wind shield of a speeding bus. This is action force and wind shield exerts opposite force on the bug. Both forces are equal and opposite. The deceleration of bus is small as compared to the bug since bus mass is very large compared to bug.

By Newton’s second law of motion acceleration of an object is inversely proportional to mass for constant force. The declaration of bug is large as it has small mass and declaration of bus is less than bug.

Conclusion:

The force exerted by the bug is same but in opposite direction and the deceleration of the bus is small due to large mass of the bus as compared to bug.