You're driving on the road with the windows open. When a fly enters your vehicle, is it going the same speed?

Question

To clarify...How come when the fly is soaring outside in front of my car, it can get hit and crushed by the windshield; but once it's floating inside my car, it can soar in the air without getting hit and crushed by the seats or whatever's inside my vehicle?

I know this is a typical question, but what's the explanation again? Is it because the air, and everything else in the car, is traveling in the same speed as the vehicle?

Answer 1

Because when the fly is getting squashed by your windshield, it is virtually standing still while your car is moving 30+MPH. The change of acceleration is so dramatic that the force squishes it. When the fly is inside your car, it is moving at the same speed as you and the car, so there is no acceleration to speak of. No acceleration, no force. The fly is happy. F=ma

Answer 2

in essence the fly was sucked inside of the car by the draft of the car. The fly was minding its own business when the car passed by very closely. The force of the backed-up air pushed it back the vacuum of the emptiness behind the car pulled the fly towards it. since your windows were open it was thrown in. The air mass inside was stable enough for the fly to de-accelerate. WOW what a ride!!! Let's do it again.

Answer 3

Wind speed. inside the car is contained. The same would hold true for a submarine. How come you are not drowning or being crushed by the weight of the watter. You could not sit on the wing of an airplane and fly across country but you can if you are inside. Controlled environment. its all the same.

Answer 4

because once the fly enters your car, it also is going the same speed as your vehicle along with everything else. You sound like you think that a fly which enters your window should be instantly splattered all over the back window.

Answer 5

No, its just the wind pushing the fly, remember they dont weigh but like a micron