down the freeway at 65 mph, it shoots straight out the window... seems to hang there for a few seconds... and then falls back?
2006-10-14 05:26:25 · 11 answers · asked by ohcynthia812 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The gum encounters air resistance and since it no longer has the constant forward push from the car, it slows down. Similar to passing a slower car, it appears as though its going backwards.
2006-10-14 05:35:15 · answer #1 · answered by borscht 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you spit the gum out the window, the gum is traveling at the same velocity as you and the car are. The piece of gum is probably traveling with enough velocity to keep it going at the same speed you are to keep it hanging there for a few seconds. It falls back because there is nothing to keep it in motion. This is Newton's First Law which states that: An object will stay at rest or move at a constant speed in a straight line unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. That unbalanced force is air resistance.
2006-10-14 12:42:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same reason it takes Elmer Fudd a few seconds to start falling when he walks off a cliff. The gum doesn't realize it's out the windows for a moment.
2006-10-14 16:48:05 · answer #3 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put some tissues in your car, spit your gum into one of those and trash it when you get home. Maybe people don't step on gum on the Freeway, but I've clomped down on more than my share of sidewalks and the street.
2006-10-14 12:28:58 · answer #4 · answered by beez 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can truly observe this effect it is because your car drags along a boundary layer of air because of friction. This layer moves at close to the speed of your car, and the gum encounters this before it hits the still air that you are travelling through.
2006-10-14 13:19:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my town we have a guy waiting to go to court charged with spitting his gum from a car! He has been branded 'litter lout'
The same thing applies if you stub a cig butt out on the sidewalk!! You should carry your own little 'cig butt box'!!
Next week we have another new law out, we have to wear carpet slippers in all town areas to avoid marking the sidewalks!!
Nothing to do with your question, just thought I would share this with you all!!
2006-10-14 12:41:45 · answer #6 · answered by budding author 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It has something to do with gravity and inertia.It's like it's hitting a wall of air then after a few seconds it falls because of gravity.
2006-10-14 12:33:49 · answer #7 · answered by winged_pegusas_20051969 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Physics .It carries the momentum of ur car along with it.Once its out it will lose that for awhile before falling down.
2006-10-14 12:39:23 · answer #8 · answered by don ven 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Murphys Law.
2006-10-14 12:30:25 · answer #9 · answered by queentinkb 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Inertia.
2006-10-14 12:50:08 · answer #10 · answered by Obsidian Rage 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋