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

1 answer

The statement that best explains the observation is: The car moves forward, while inertia keeps the balloon in place.

This reflects the concept of inertia, which is the tendency of an object at rest to stay at rest unless acted upon by a net external force. When the car accelerates forward, the balloon, which is not firmly anchored, tends to remain in its original position due to its inertia, giving the appearance that it is moving backward relative to the car.