Take the quiz

You're riding on a bus. The kid next to you has a helium-filled balloon. He lets go of the balloon and it ends up against the ceiling, just about in the center of the bus. The driver suddenly hits the gas pedal and the bus lurches forward, throwing you back into your seat. What does the balloon do?

a) It moves backward
b) It moves forward
c) It stays where it is
d) I don't know Jim!

Answer:

The answer is (b) it moves forward!!! Why do you ask? ...because when the bus moves forward, the heavier air moves to the back. The helium baloon is lighter than air, so it's pushed forward!!! Wow you say? Give it a try. This is a simpler scientific experiment than those Mythbuster guys do on Discovery channel. (See http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/mythbusters.html for ref.) Thanks Stacy in Southern California for keeping me honest and asking me for the answer.