Physics

A car accelerating at a steady rate for a long time results in the greatest impulse.

Analyze each scenario:

For a car moving at a constant speed, the acceleration a = 0. So, the force F = ma = 0 (assuming no external resistive forces are being overcome). Then the impulse I = FΔt=0 (since F = 0).

A stationary car experiencing no force also has F = 0. So, the impulse I = FΔt = 0 (since F = 0).

A car accelerating at a steady rate for a short time:

Let the acceleration be and the time interval be (where is small). The impulse .

A car accelerating at a steady rate for a long time:

Let the acceleration be and the time interval be

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