I have an aquarium in my car with a fish swimming in the aquarium. If I hit the breaks hard, does the fish move toward the front of the car, the back of the car, or not move at all?
Similar question, except this time I have a balloon filled with helium bouncing along the ceiling as I am driving. If I hit the breaks hard, does the balloon move toward the front of the car, the back of the car, or not move at all?
2006-12-03 04:02:57 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I disagree. Assuming the aquarium is nailed down well, the water will act as a sort of seatbelt for your fish. Being mostly incompressible, the fish should mostly stay where it is.
The second question is sort of the same way. Yes, the balloon will want to move towards the front, but so will the air in the car. You know what happens on the earth when air and helium get pulled down, the air wins and the helium floats. Thus, the helium balloon will go to the back of the car.
2006-12-03 05:06:12 · answer #1 · answered by Nicknamr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Things in your car are moving at the same speed as your car. When you hit the brakes, the car starts to slow down, but the items IN your car (which aren't "nailed down") will want to continue moving forward. So, both your fish and the balloon will move toward the front of the car.
2006-12-03 12:29:57 · answer #2 · answered by scottr9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my goodness and aquarium in a car would be soo cool!!
2006-12-03 12:10:50 · answer #3 · answered by Mariah 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋