Only scientificor physical anwers pls.
Thank you so much
2007-06-14 05:49:56 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Philip J, You mean I should have not asked a question. Amazing! By the way, thanks for your answer!
2007-06-15 00:17:15 · update #1
Because they are disturbed. They have settled in between the fibers of the rug. When you beat the rug (or even shake it out), the rug has kinetic energy. The particles, which do not have kinetic energy, attempt to remain in one place (because they have inertia). The rug moves, the particles stay in one place. The kinetic energy of the rug overcomes the friction holding the dust in place, so they are left hanging in the air, where they are affected by wind currents and the like and move around in the air.
2007-06-14 05:55:58 · answer #1 · answered by Brian L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you beat the carpet, it undergoes a sudden large acceleration (if only for a short time). Accelerating something has the effect of "shaking loose" anything that is not tightly attached. If you have ever pulled away quickly from a stop light with a Christmas tree loosely tied to your car, you'll know what I mean. :-)
The "shaking loose" can be explained in terms of Newton's 2nd Law of Motion. In order for object "D" (a dust mote) to remain attached to object "C" (a carpet), then "D" needs to keep up with the acceleration of "C". Newton said that this requires a force (an attachment) whose strength is proportional to the amount of acceleration. If you accelerate "C" greatly (by beating it), the required attachment force is greater than the dust mote is able to provide, so it breaks loose.
2007-06-14 13:05:39 · answer #2 · answered by RickB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
due to their inertia
2007-06-14 12:57:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋