A car (mass 800 kg) is traveling with a speed of 37 mi/h. A bug (mass 8.7 mg) is traveling in the opposite direction. What speed would the bug need in order to slow down the truck by one mile per hour in a big bug splash (i.e., final speed 36 mi/h)?

Answer 1

Apply conservation of momentum, and assume that all of the bug remains on the windshield.

800*(37 mph) - 87*10^-9*V = 800.000000087*36

Solve for V