Which way does a balloon travel while in an accelerating vehicle?

Answer 1

In the same direction the vehicle is accelerating. Everything inside the balloon will want to resist acceleration, including the air. However, the air "moving" towards the back (actually the car is moving forward) will generate sufficient pressure in the back of the vehicle to push the balloon forward. The balloon is buoyant, so it floats to the area of least air density--i.e. the front if the car is accelerating forward.

Exceptions are: if the balloon is restricted from moving, if other forces are acting on the balloon, or if the balloon is not lighter than the air inside the vehicle.

They use similar methods in accelerometers, to determine the direction and magnitude of acceleration.

Answer 2

I would assume that it would travel in the opposite way of the accelerating vehicle if the windows were rolled or partially rolled down.The wind inside the vehicle would ititially push it back. The surrounding interior structure of the vehicle would contain a regular sized baloon and it would bounce around freely .

But...If the windows were up the baloon would remain static unless a force was acted upon it........ok ?

Answer 3

Forward (in the direction of the acceleration), just like a candle flame. That's assuming you are holding a string tied to a floating balloon. If it is not floating or if it is stuck to the roof, it will prob not move. holding the string so the balloon is not touching anything will demonstrate this in a moving car.

Answer 4

motion is equivalent to rest only if the motion is with uniform speed....so here the baloon tries to stay back as the vehicle accelerates forward....in either case,air causes the baloon to move in the direction of wind just like your hair does if its left loose when ure in a bike
trust me thats the way it works!!