The Science Behind a Balloon Shooting Through the Air

What force propels a balloon when its neck is untied and air escapes?

a. surrounding air
b. ejected air
c. air still in the balloon
d. ground beneath the balloon

Answer:

The force that propels the balloon when the neck is untied and air escapes is provided by the ejected air.

When the neck of an air-filled balloon is untied and air escapes, the balloon shoots through the air. The force that propels the balloon is provided by the ejected air (option b). When the neck of the balloon is untied, the air inside the balloon rushes out in one direction, creating an opposite and equal force that propels the balloon forward in the other direction. This phenomenon is explained by Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

The action in this case is the air rushing out of the balloon, and the reaction is the balloon being propelled forward through the air. This simple yet fascinating demonstration of Newton's third law highlights the basic principles of physics at play in everyday objects like balloons.

Next time you see a balloon shooting through the air after its neck is untied, remember that it is the ejected air that provides the force for this fun and educational experiment!