What Happens to a Helium Balloon and Objects During Sudden Braking?

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    Car Inertia
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of sudden braking on a helium balloon and other objects (two men and a box of goodies) inside a car. Participants explore the implications of Newton's laws of motion and consider variations in scenarios, including a man running with a helium balloon.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that during sudden braking, both men will move forward due to inertia, while the helium balloon will move backward as the air rushes forward.
  • One participant proposes that the balloon's movement is influenced by the center of mass of the air around it.
  • Another participant humorously introduces a concept from general relativity, suggesting that braking creates a new gravity source that affects all objects, including the balloon.
  • It is noted that the helium balloon will tend towards the rear of the car during braking, while the other objects will move forward until stopped by restraining forces.
  • A new scenario is introduced where a man running with a helium balloon experiences sudden acceleration or deceleration, prompting questions about whether the effects would be similar to those in the car scenario.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the behavior of the helium balloon and other objects during braking, with no consensus reached on the exact dynamics involved. The discussion remains open with multiple competing interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the behavior of air and the balloon's buoyancy are not fully explored, and the implications of different scenarios (car vs. running) introduce additional complexity that is not resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying physics concepts related to motion, inertia, and fluid dynamics, as well as individuals curious about practical applications of these principles in everyday situations.

vikasj007
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a man was driving a car, with him was his friend inside the car along with a box full of godies, and a helium fill balloon.

suddenly he stops the car.

now you have to tell, what will be the effect of this breaking (negitive acceleration) on all the four bodies( both men, box of goodies and the helium filled balloon.)
 
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Hmm,
Gets a car , a friend , a box of goodies and a helium balloon. Puts them all in the car and drives. After sometime realizes, that he can't drive. Desparately attempts to brake but no luck and crashes. So the effect of braking on me and my partner was that we were in the hospital , the box of goodies i learned were taken as goodwil gift by the inspecting policeman and the balloon well i offerred it to the good looking nurse.

-- AI
::
But in your example,
the two men move forward (inertia),
the box of goodies , well i ate them
and the helium balloon moves backward (inertia) .
[/Color]::
 
Answer:
Newton’s first law would apply to all four bodies. However, the balloon would float towards the back of the car because the air around it will rush towards the front.
 
TenaliRaman said:
Hmm,
Gets a car , a friend , a box of goodies and a helium balloon. Puts them all in the car and drives.

I suspect your troubles resulted from trying to put a car inside a car. :wink:

::The helium balloon moves in the same direction as the center of mass of the air inside the box of goodies. [/color]::
 
The driver not wishing to consult Newton's first, and putting shades on all the car windows, discovers that according to GR use of the 'brake' has created a new gravity source directly in front. All the objects react to the additional gravitational force in front of them exactly as they have been reacting to the one still below them. Including the helium balloon that seems to be repelled from the ground below.
 
Gokul43201 said:
I suspect your troubles resulted from trying to put a car inside a car. :wink:

Hehe, i never realized that! So were they really brakes i was trying to apply there :eek:

-- AI
 
The helium balloon will tend towards the rear of the car during the braking. All of the the others will tend to the forward direction until restraining forces bring them to a stop.
 
does this mean that i was the only one in this whole world who took a week to get to the answer to this question.

obviously, everybody else seems to know the answer immidiately.
 
today on my way to college, i saw a boy walking with a helium balloon in his hand.

so what if i change the situation in this case. suppose a man is running or walking(in linear motion), while holding on to a long thread tied to a helium balloon. what will be the effect of his sudden acceleration or retardation on the balloon. will it still be the same as was in the case when the balloon was inside the car??
 

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