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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)

Responses

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

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

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

3 answers

The best explanation for the observation that the balloon appears to move backward relative to the car when the car starts moving forward is:

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

This statement accurately describes the effect of inertia—it is the tendency of the balloon to remain in its initial state of rest when the car starts to move forward that makes it seem like the balloon moves backward. Inertia is what keeps the balloon from immediately moving with the car, causing the relative motion observed.

Which statement best explains why a paper airplane eventually falls to the ground?(1 point)
Responses

Inertia prevents new forces from acting on the airplane to keep it up.
Inertia prevents new forces from acting on the airplane to keep it up.

Inertia slows the airplane and pulls it down.
Inertia slows the airplane and pulls it down.

The unbalanced forces of air resistance and gravity slow the airplane and pull it down.
The unbalanced forces of air resistance and gravity slow the airplane and pull it down.

The force from throwing the airplane loses strength as the airplane moves.

The best explanation for why a paper airplane eventually falls to the ground is:

The unbalanced forces of air resistance and gravity slow the airplane and pull it down.

This statement accurately reflects the dynamics at play: gravity pulls the airplane downward while air resistance opposes its motion, and as these forces interact, the airplane eventually loses lift and falls.