A student is standing on the floor of a bus that is initially at rest on a straight road
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Laws of Motion · Laws of Motion
Problem
A student is standing on the floor of a bus that is initially at rest on a straight road. The following events occur in quick succession while the student remains standing without holding any support:
• The bus starts moving forward with uniform acceleration.
• After travelling a short distance, the bus comes to a sudden halt.
• Immediately afterwards, the bus takes a sharp left turn while moving at moderate speed.
Answer the questions that follow, referring to the three distinct events listed in the order given.
(i) For each event, state clearly the category of inertia that is demonstrated by the motion of the student’s body.
(ii) Explain, with reference to Newton’s first law, why the student experiences a tendency to fall in the particular direction observed during each event.
(iii) Suggest any two safety measures that bus designers or passengers may adopt to minimize the ill-effects of such inertial tendencies.