The Traffic Accident Reconstruction Origin -ARnews-

Re: METHODS OF DETERMINING SPEED FROM COLLISION WITH LARGE ANIMALS

Ed Phillips (edphill@aol.com)
Thu, 23 Jan 1997 10:02:39 -0500 (EST)

Gary, thanks for the info. Conservation of Momentum is a fundamental Law of Physics. It always holds true. Whether or not we can apply it is going to depend on how precisely we can identify the change in momentum (Impulse) or effect that each striking object has on the other. If we can define how the collision changes each objects velocity and direction then we can apply the Momentum law. It is true in this collision with horses and when a bug hits your windshield. A linear momentum application will work here, given what you've told us, the most difficult part is defining the deceleration rate of the Suburban, and how you obtain the pre-impact speeds for the horses.
Ed
Ed Phillips
edphill@aol.com

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