Will a floating object (air) in a flying airplane move backwards? why?

Question

Will a floating object (air) in a flying airplane move backwards? why?

Answer 1

If the plane is accelerating then yes, the reason being the property of inertia of matter.... But if the plane is moving at constant velocity then the air or object won't be left behind.

Because acceleration means a force exists, but if constant velocity then no force is being applied.

Answer 2

It will just stay in it's position.only if the plane is opened..

Answer 3

Looking at the other answers, I suppose there is a hazard of asking a simple question in a physics forum.

The answer is no, it will move forward when the airplane accelerates forward.  Because, the air compresses, more in the back, and less toward the front, due to inertia.  The floating object moves toward the lower air pressure at the front of the plane and away from the higher air pressure at the back of the plane.

After a period of constant airplane speed, air pressure will stabilize and the floating object will move (more or less) back where it was before the acceleration, and stay there.

If you are without an airplane, use a balloon in an automobile.  Close the windows.  Accelerate and watch the balloon move forward when you accelerate forward.  Pretty cool, really.

Answer 4

Yes it will, but if and only if the plane is accelerating forward.  Otherwise, both the plane and the floating object are moving at the same velocity.  

And, due to momentum, that velocity will not change unless there is a net force acting on the plane and/or the object.  In which case the velocity changes, which means there is an acceleration.

Answer 5

No it won't, it and the surrounding air are moving along with the plane all together at the same speed (if the cabin is closed).

try releasing a balloon or jumping up and down next time your're flying.

Answer 6

Harrier Jump Jet, Bell Osprey, direction of force from engines

Answer 7

if the aircraft is moving at constant speed the objects inside will "keep pace " with it .when the plane accelerates (speeds up, slows down , turns or rises or falls) the object will try to stay in the same position in space and , if not restrained, will move relative to the plane

Answer 8

All the objects in the plane are moving together at the same speed as the other guy said. Unless some kind of energy is applied to the floating object (friction, gravity, kinetic energy) then the laws of motion say it will continue to move in whatever direction it was originally heading. So- No if the there is no air flow, Yes if there is. Unless the planes flight path is elliptical the floating object will fall towards the force applied from gravity.

Answer 9

Yes. The object is immersed in air and not stuck into another object.