If a stone is dropped from a balloon on a still day, does the stone fall directly below the balloon, or to the west or east of it?

(In reply to My thoughts by Jer)

But it won't retain that speed; friction with the air would keep it from moving forward as it goes down. Mainly I agree with John: the solution is dependant on whether th balloon is stationary in the atmosphere or whether it is stationary in space. If the balloon has enough altitude, atmospheric effects will not effect the balloon, and as it falls the world will go out from under it and it will be slightly west of the mark.

Posted by Bret on 2005-07-08 00:54:03