Question

When a fast moving horse stops suddenly, a careless rider falls in the forward direction. Give reason for it.

CBSE Class IX Science SA 2 (3 Marks)

Answer 1

It is because of the inertia of motion. When the horse is in motion, the whole body of the rider is in motion. But when the horse stops suddenly the lower portion of the rider which is in contact with the horse comes to rest, but the upper portion of his body wants to remain in motion.

Answer 2

A rider on a horse back falls forward when the horse suddenly stops. This is due to (b) inertia of rider.

• When the horse suddenly stops, the rider falls in the forward direction due to the inertia of motion.
• As the body of rider tends to be in its original state when the horse suddenly stops, the lower body part of rider stops with the horse but, whereas the upper part remains in motion.
• So, the rider falls forward. This can be explained by Newton's law of motion.
• When the horse stops, the rider still has the inertia of motion, so he falls forward.