Question

A balloon floats inside a stopped car. When the car starts moving forward, the balloon appears to move backward relative to the car. Which statement best explains this observation?(1 point)


The motion of the car creates an unbalanced backward force on the balloon.

The force of inertia on the balloon balances the force from the motion of the car.


Inertia prevents the force of the car from acting on the balloon.


The car moves forward, while inertia keeps the balloon in place.


I chose D.

Answer 1

The correct statement is A. The motion of the car creates an unbalanced backward force on the balloon. This is due to the principle of inertia, which states that an object at rest will remain at rest or an object in motion will remain in motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force. When the car starts moving, the air inside the car (including the balloon) initially remains at rest due to inertia. As the car accelerates forward, the air inside the car moves backward relative to the car, creating an unbalanced backward force on the balloon, making it appear to move backward relative to the car.