An object is shot from the back of a railroad flatcar moving at 40 km/h on a straight horizontal road. The launcher is aimed upward, perpendicular to the bed of the flatcar. The object falls:
A) in front of the flatcar
B) behind the flatcar
C) on the truck
D) either behind or in front of the flatcar, depending on the initial speed of the object
E) to the side of the flatcar

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The object retains the horizontal velocity of the flatcar (40 km/h) due to inertia, so it falls back onto the flatcar.

An Object Is Shot from the Back of a Railroad