The carpet moves while the dust particles remain stationary due to inertia, causing a separation of dust from the carpet. Why does this happen?

Correct answer: A. The carpet's motion is resisted by the dust particles' inertia, causing the dust to separate.

  • A. The carpet's motion is resisted by the dust particles' inertia, causing the dust to separate.
  • B. The friction from beating charges the carpet, causing it to repel the dust.
  • C. The carpet exerts a reaction force on the dust particles, pushing them off.
  • D. None of these explanations are correct.

Explanation

The inertia of the dust particles residing on the carpet resists the change in the carpet's motion. Therefore, the carpet's forward motion exerts an apparent backward force (no real force is exerted, this is just apparent due to inertia) on the dust particles, setting them in motion in the opposite direction. This is why the dust comes out of the carpet when beaten.

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