Why do you fall in the forward direction when a moving bus brakes to a stop and fall backwards when it accelerates from rest?

Answer

When a car starts, passengers suddenly move backwards

 

When the Bus applies brakes, Passengers get pushed forward

When the bus stops suddenly, the lower part of the body which is in contact with the car stops. But the upper part is still in motion due to inertia. Hence, the passenger is pushed forward

 

When the Bus starts suddenly, Passengers move backwards

When the bus starts suddenly, the lower part of the body which is in contact with the car is in motion. But the upper part is still at rest due to inertia. Hence, the passenger moves backwards

 

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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo