Originally Posted by
dubcac
Sorry, but you're wrong. There are no accelerative forces on the hummingbird except that of gravity, and its own acceleration up (to hover). There are no lateral accelerative forces on it whatsoever. You're an engineer, I would figure you'd have learned about relativity by now...it's a basic theory in physics.
The bird doesn't get knocked back, it's just not moving laterally...but the bus is.
Yes, I got confused and actually argued against myself. Relativity is actually what Im using to make my argument. I'm too tired to make sense
Inertial frames of reference, which say that an object can only accelerate in a direction if a physical force is applied. Basic physics. But no force is transformed through the air to hummingbird. The bus is accelerating because of the tires, but the air inside of the bus isn't, assuming there aren't any crazy variables like the vents being open or windows being opened. The air doesn't move and the bird doesn't move because of this.
Ever tried to toss something up in the air when a jet is taking off? It doesn't go shooting towards the back.