Why do you
fall in the forward direction when a moving bus brakes to a stop and
fall backwards when it accelerates from rest?
Why do you fall in the forward direction when a moving bus brakes to a stop and fall backwards when it accelerates from rest?
Due
to the inertia of the passenger
Every
body tries to maintain its state of motion or state of rest. If a
body is at rest, then it tries to remain at rest. If a body is
moving, then it tries to remain in motion. In a moving bus, a
passenger moves with the bus. As the driver applies brakes, the bus
comes to rest. But, the passenger tries to maintain his state of
motion. As a result, a forward force is exerted on him. Similarly,
the passenger tends to fall backwards when the bus accelerates from
rest. This is because when the bus accelerates, the inertia of the
passenger tends to oppose the forward motion of the bus. Hence, the
passenger tends to fall backwards when the bus accelerates forward.
Due to the inertia of the passenger
Every body tries to maintain its state of motion or state of rest. If a body is at rest, then it tries to remain at rest. If a body is moving, then it tries to remain in motion. In a moving bus, a passenger moves with the bus. As the driver applies brakes, the bus comes to rest. But, the passenger tries to maintain his state of motion. As a result, a forward force is exerted on him. Similarly, the passenger tends to fall backwards when the bus accelerates from rest. This is because when the bus accelerates, the inertia of the passenger tends to oppose the forward motion of the bus. Hence, the passenger tends to fall backwards when the bus accelerates forward.
