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Random physics situation.

Farout FoolioFarout Foolio Registered User regular
edited June 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
This isn't for homework or anything, I'm just curious.

A flying bug is hovering stationary inside of a stationary bus.
The bus begins to accelerate at a constant rate.
How does the fly's movement behave?

It's only a bit tricky if the bus is a totally closed system.
Does the air reduce the fly's acceleration backwards or does it make no difference?

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Farout Foolio on

Posts

  • romanqwertyromanqwerty Registered User regular
    edited June 2009
    Assuming all windows are closed etc, and the bus is a completely closed system. It will drift toward the back of the bus as it accelerates. This is because the bug has more inertia than the air around it and will displace the air behind it as everything inside the bus begins to feel a force. For the same reason, if the bus turns, it will slide to the side of the bus against the turn.

    romanqwerty on
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