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 beating loosens the fibers of the carpet causing the dust trapped in them to come loose

  • A. The beating loosens the fibers of the carpet causing the dust trapped in them to come loose
  • B. The beating movement charges the carpet by friction and repels the dust off of it
  • C. The beating causes a reaction force by the carpet which also applies to the dust particles, causing their expulsion
  • D. None of these.

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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