RobG
Member
I had a thought this morning. Gruesome, but put that part out of your mind and it's really kind of intriguing.
Let's say somebody on a sportbike similar to an FZ1, total weight of 650 lbs (bike plus rider), was going WOT at 150 mph on a straight road, and met an unfortunate end by hitting a Semi head-on, which was going towards him at 60 mph and weighing in at 80,000 lbs.
I'm trying to calculate the force with which the bike would hit, and I'm also wondering what impact (no pun intended) it would have on the truck. Granted there'd be lots of damage, but how much? Would it force the truck off the road? That sort of thing.
Since I never had a physics or calculus class, I have very little clue how to go about this. I did some Googling, and the only number I came up with, which may not even be accurate, is that the force of impact would be the equivalent of approx 20 MILLION foot-pounds of torque.
It also reminds me of the Reno Air Races last year, where that pilot plowed into the ground at about 200-250 mph (maybe more) in his vintage plane. I don't think there was much left of the plane, at least that was identifiable. I know it left a small crater in the pavement... basically a greasy spot. I have family in Reno so I heard lots about it... even made it out to the Stead Airport and was within a hundred yards or so of the impact zone for an autocross event. It was fenced off and covered.
Thoughts?
Rob
Let's say somebody on a sportbike similar to an FZ1, total weight of 650 lbs (bike plus rider), was going WOT at 150 mph on a straight road, and met an unfortunate end by hitting a Semi head-on, which was going towards him at 60 mph and weighing in at 80,000 lbs.
I'm trying to calculate the force with which the bike would hit, and I'm also wondering what impact (no pun intended) it would have on the truck. Granted there'd be lots of damage, but how much? Would it force the truck off the road? That sort of thing.
Since I never had a physics or calculus class, I have very little clue how to go about this. I did some Googling, and the only number I came up with, which may not even be accurate, is that the force of impact would be the equivalent of approx 20 MILLION foot-pounds of torque.
It also reminds me of the Reno Air Races last year, where that pilot plowed into the ground at about 200-250 mph (maybe more) in his vintage plane. I don't think there was much left of the plane, at least that was identifiable. I know it left a small crater in the pavement... basically a greasy spot. I have family in Reno so I heard lots about it... even made it out to the Stead Airport and was within a hundred yards or so of the impact zone for an autocross event. It was fenced off and covered.
Thoughts?
Rob