Braingle: 'Fly in a Bottle' Brain Teaser

Fly in a Bottle

Science brain teasers require understanding of the physical or biological world and the laws that govern it.

Puzzle ID:	#40796
Fun:	(2.53)
Difficulty:	(1.15)
Category:	Science
Submitted By:	rockstar1234567
Corrected By:	annvie9

Two identical jars are placed on a scale, each with one fruit fly in it. One fly is flying and the other one is sitting. Which jar weighs more?

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Comments

rt1819 Mar 01, 2008	This was proved on "MythBusters". They used pigeons and a van, lol.
aball911 Mar 01, 2008	i got that they would weigh the same, i just couldn't figure out why (scientifically) great teaser!!
rockstar1234567 Mar 01, 2008	you know, ive seen that episode of mythbusters
hipeople Mar 03, 2008	sciency
drfyra Mar 11, 2008	yeah. got an A for my science teaser. ngahahah..
ethan897 Mar 22, 2008	easy
rba22 Mar 27, 2008	I knew I learned this on TV. Yeah Mythbusters.
rockstar1234567 Mar 27, 2008	rightnow, the hardness is exactly 1
treyflip3 Mar 28, 2008	the flying one would weigh lesss because i assume the bottles are open
friesaregood Apr 11, 2008	Even if they were open, they might have been upside-down.
sophieskelly Jun 02, 2008	i'm sorry but that is scientifically incorrect. check your facts before posting a teaser in the future please.
drat Jun 09, 2008	i must say there are several variables here. I got mixed feelings about this one
kunju Jun 18, 2008	TOO EASYY
PatH Jul 11, 2008	Sophieskelly, what are you talking about?!? The teaser IS correct, but if you think it is not, please make an argument.
Paladin Apr 09, 2009	Many variables, but technically the answer given is correct.
choirgirl926 May 16, 2009	I've seen a question like this in a Mensa book.
TableElbows Aug 14, 2009	I thought it had something to do with the fly really flying and it being in a vacuum...
MusiK Jan 07, 2010	haha I agree, I thought it was going to be like a trick our something like the fly is "sitting" because it's in a vacuum sorta thing and thus there's no air and thus the jar is lighter lol
netjunkie9 Aug 04, 2011	It's partially correct but yes, many variables. A fly's propulsion is not continuous - it flaps its wings. The effect on the jar would vary depending on how often, how hard and which direction the fly was flapping.