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Chapter 2: Problem 161

A child riding in a car holds a string attached to a floating, helium-filled balloon. As the car decelerates to a stop, the balloon tilts backwards. As the car makes a right-hand turn, the balloon tilts to the right. On the other hand, the child tends to be forced forward as the car decelerates and to the left as the car makes a right-hand turn. Explain these observed effects on the balloon and child.

Short Answer

Expert verified
In both situations, the balloon and the child display the laws of motion. Due to their resistance to changes in motion (inertia), they continue moving in their initial direction when the car decelerates or changes direction. Since the helium balloon is lighter than the surrounding air, it moves in the direction opposite of the air’s acceleration, resulting in the backward or rightward tilt. The child, being heavier than the surrounding air, moves in the same direction as the air’s acceleration, resulting in a forward or leftward movement.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Concept of Inertia

Inertia is the property of matter that causes it to resist any change in its motion in speed or direction. Therefore, when the car decelerates or makes a right-hand turn, the child and the balloon inside the car continue their initial motion due to inertia.
02

Understand the Effect of Deceleration

When the car decelerates, both the balloon and the child tend to keep moving at the initial speed as per the law of inertia. As the air in the car is also subject to inertia, it moves forward and presses up against the front of the car. The helium balloon is lighter than the air near it, so it moves opposite the perceived acceleration and leans towards the back of the car. Conversely, the child, being heavier than the surrounding air, gets pushed forward.
03

Understand the Effect of Right-Hand Turn

When the car makes a right-hand turn, the helium balloon, being lighter than the surrounding air, moves in the direction opposite to the car's acceleration and leans to the right. The child, however, is carried to the left due to inertia, resists the change in direction, and being heavier than the air, is pushed to the left-side of the car.

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