Helium balloon centrifugal force

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a helium-filled balloon tied to a string in a car that is decelerating. Participants are exploring the behavior of the balloon in response to the car's motion, particularly when brakes are applied.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the expected motion of the balloon when the car decelerates, questioning how the principles of motion and gravity apply in this scenario. Some suggest using the equivalence principle to understand the forces at play.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants offering different interpretations of the balloon's behavior. Some guidance has been provided regarding the application of the equivalence principle, but no consensus has been reached on the balloon's movement direction.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on understanding the effects of acceleration and gravity in a non-inertial reference frame, with participants questioning the assumptions about the balloon's response to changes in motion.

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Helium balloon "centrifugal" force

Homework Statement


Assume that you are driving down a straight road at a constant speed. A helium-filled balloon is tied to a string that is pinned to the front seat. Which way will the balloon swing when you apply the brakes? Explain why.


Homework Equations


Not a calculation.


The Attempt at a Solution


Normally the object would try to sustain its motion and would swing foward. However, the helium balloon must change this scenario? Thanks.
 
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The easiest way to solve this problem would be to apply the equivalence principle, which says that in an accelerating reference frame, acceleration is indistinguishable from gravity. So inside the decelerating car, it feels as if gravity has a component forwards. Which way would the balloon move if a component of gravity goes forward?
 


foward, yes?
 


No. Helium balloons normally go against gravity, right? If the direction of "gravity" changes, the balloon will still go opposite gravity.
 


They go the opposite of gravity? They float you mean? Hmmmmph, yes; I think I understand where you are coming from now.
 

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