Another Physics Question

[rcnixon]

You are in a van, moving forward down the road. The van is sealed and no air is flowing through. In the back compartment of the van is a balloon filled with helium, tethered to the floor of the van by a single string. You hit the brakes firmly, suddenly slowing the van. Which way does the balloon move and why?

 

[Loosedhorse]

Where's the GOSHDARN firearm????

No firearm, then I'm not playing.

 

[kingjoey]

The balloon (or any mass) should move forward relative to the vehicle. It would also move downward because the tether forces it to move in an arc rather than a line.

 

[DaveBeal]

When you hit the brakes, the air in the car moves forward due to its own inertia. As a result, the less dense helium balloon moves backward because it is displaced by the air. I've seen it happen.

 

[Loomis]

Depends on how heavy the tether is. Is there slack in the tether?

 

[Sean Dempsey]

I already shot the balloon so it basically stays where it is.

 

[Thernlund]

IBTL.


-T.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Good topic for APS.

 

[JShirley]

There are only a few house rules:

1.) All topics and posts must be related to firearms or civil liberties issues.

Incidentally, I suggest those with nothing better to do than post the idiotic IBTL in threads find something.

John