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?

Hugo,

I am on the third rock from the sun.  I just got my lefts and writes mixed-up.

What is a still day?

If the hot-air balloon is stationary above a fixed position on the earth's surface, then the air surrounding the balloon has a higher angular velocity than that near the surface.  Everything in the balloon has a higher angular velocity.  Drop a rock it will maintain the angular velocity and fall to the east.

Write?

Posted by Leming on 2005-07-08 17:10:33