Imagine parking your car in a parking lot just to get something from a grocery store only for you to come back to see that your car has been hit and not just that, there has been a slight movement from where it was orignally parked to where you see it. Why is the movement?
What happens in terms of energy when a moving car hits a parked car causing the parked car to move?
The moving car transfers kinetic energy to the parked car
Kinetic energy in the moving car disappears
Kinetic energy in the parked car is created
The parked car transfers kinetic energy to the moving car
The correct answer is that the moving car transfer kinetic energy to the parked car.
What Happens in Terms of Energy When a Moving Car Hits a Parked Car Causing it to Move?
What happens in terms of energy when a moving car hits a parked car causing the parked car to move is that the moving car transfers kinetic energy to the parked car.
The reason is because, the moving car posseses kinetic energy since its in motion and when it hits a parked car, some amount of the energy is thereby transfered to the parked car which in turn causes it to move.
Kinetic energy is defined as the type of energy an object possesses because its in motion. A moving car is said to have kinetic energy because its in motion, it is moving, that is why it is able to transfer some of that energy to a parked car.
A parked car on the other hand does not have kinetic energy because its not in motion. Its just sitted in one place making it impossible to say that the parked car transfers kinetic energy to the moving car.
From the options listed above, you wouldn’t say that the kinetic energy in the moving car disappears since the car is still in motion, it only transfers some of its kinetic energy to the moving car, hence while it moved, even though its parked.
The same goes with the option that says “the kinetic energy in the parked car is created”. This is because, according to the law of conversion of energy, energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, it is something that transforms from one form to the other.
Therefore, it is worthy to say that when a moving car hits a parked car causing it to move, it means that some form of velocity has been transfered or the parked car has gain velocity.
Dangers of Hitting a Parked Car
The dangers of hitting a parked car are:
Hit and Run Charges
If you hit a parked car in a parking lot and left without notifying the owner about the incident and taking care of the damages, you could be charged with hit and run especially if you failed to indicate yourself.
For a moving car to hit a parked car and cause it move, there is no way there won’t be damages to the affected car. Even your own car may not be spared. You need to make yourself known to the car owner.
If you are in a rush and unable to find the owner at the moment, you can leave a note in the car indicating what happened to the car, your name and of course, your phone number. Ensure the note is placed where the car owner can easily find it.
Meanwhile, before leaving the scene, ensure to take clear pictures and video coverage of the damages the incident caused to the car. Take a video footage of the whole car, you may need it later.
Insurance Coverage
Hitting a parked car in the manner that causes it to move may affect your insurance coverage. The best thing to do is to drive carefully.
Financial Loss
Assuming there is no insurance that covers the incident, you will be the one to pay for the damages on the car. This will definitely take some money out of your pocket. Something you could have ordinarily avoided.
What to Do After Hitting a Parked Car
- Do not Leave the Scene: After you hit a parked car, do not leave the scene to avoid being charged with a hit and run.
- Look for the Car Owner: After hitting a car and causes some damages to the car, please look for the car owner.
- Leave a Note: If you can’t seem to find the owner and you’re in a rush, ensure to drop a note which must have your name, phone number and the incident that happened. You can also add your address if you wish to.
- Take Pictures and Video Coverage of the Damages: Don’t be in a rush to leave without taking pitcures and video coverage of the damages the incident caused to the car. Its for documentative purposes.
- Pay for the Damages: Ensure you cooperate in paying the damages the incident must have caused if there is no insurance coverage on it.
Final Thoughts
When a moving car hits a parked car and causes the parked car to move, we can say that the moving car has transfered kinetic energy to the parked car causing it to move. It is only a moving object that posseses kinetic energy therefore, the parked car gains velocity after being hit by a moving car.
