A kid in a car is holding a helium balloon. the dad slams on the brakes....

A kid in a car is holding a helium balloon. the dad slams on the brakes. what does the kid see the helium balloon do?
a. stay where it is?
b. move forward?
c. move backward?

Solutions

Expert Solution

The balloon does the opposite to whatever your body would do. Thus, if the car comes to rest the balloon moves towards the back. The key is that the balloon is filled with helium (He) and you are made up of stuff much heavier than air.

Suppose you had the balloon filled with He and tied to the floor of your car, perhaps, around your hand brake and your car is at stopped. If you then 'hammer the gas pedal' you will be pushed back in to your seat whereas the balloon will go forward! Turn left, the balloon goes right. Turn right the balloon goes left, and stop - the balloon goes back.

It has to do with the motion of the air in your car. When you are at rest and then go forward all of the air rushes to the back of the car and you have created an area in the back of your car of higher air pressure. Since He is lighter than air it wants to 'float' away from that area and moves forward.

so move forward is answer

genius_generous answered 8 months ago

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