A moving van with a stone lightly glued to the midpoint of its ceiling smoothly moves at constant velocity. When the glue gives way, the stone falls and hits the floor
A)ahead of the midpoint of the ceiling.
B)exactly below the midpoint of the ceiling.
C)behind the midpoint of the ceiling.
D)none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The stone will continue to move with the same velocity as the moving van until it hits the floor, due to the principle of inertia. Therefore, it will fall vertically downward and hit the floor exactly below the midpoint of the ceiling.

A Moving Van with a Stone Lightly Glued to the Midpoint