Air Balloon Ballast Q: Find Weight to Rise 105m in 15s

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In summary, the goal is to determine how much weight must be dropped overboard from a 6.25m radius balloon with a constant density of 1.29 kg/m^3 to make it rise 105m in 15.0 seconds. The mass of the balloon while stationary can be calculated by equating the buoyant force and the weight of the balloon. This means that the mass divided by volume of the balloon should equal the density of air.
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KingTutATL
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A lighter than air balloon and its load of passengers and ballast are floating stationary above the eart. Ballast is the wieght that can be dropped overboard to make the balloon rise. The radius of this balloon is 6.25m. Assuming a onstant value of 1.29 kg/m^3 for the density of air, determine how much weight must be dropped overboard to make the balloon rise 105m in 15.0s?

I've been working on this one for a while and just keep getting nowhere!
 
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KingTutATL said:
A lighter than air balloon and its load of passengers and ballast are floating stationary above the eart. Ballast is the wieght that can be dropped overboard to make the balloon rise. The radius of this balloon is 6.25m. Assuming a onstant value of 1.29 kg/m^3 for the density of air, determine how much weight must be dropped overboard to make the balloon rise 105m in 15.0s?

I've been working on this one for a while and just keep getting nowhere!
What is the volume of the balloon? What is the mass of this balloon if it is floating stationary above the Earth (not accelerating)?

What force is required for the balloon to rise 105 m in 15.0 seconds (careful: there is a bit of a trick, because the mass of the balloon accelerating depends on how much mass you drop overboard - work out an algebraic expression for the force in terms of the mass of the balloon and the mass jetisoned).

What mass must the balloon have in order to generate that buoyant force?

AM
 
  • #3
How do I calculate the mass of the balloon while it is stationary. I guess it would be in equilibrium with the force of gravity and the bouyant force that oppose each other.
 
  • #4
KingTutATL said:
How do I calculate the mass of the balloon while it is stationary. I guess it would be in equilibrium with the force of gravity and the bouyant force that oppose each other.
If there is no acceleration, the buoyant force and the weight of the balloon balance. What does this mean for the mass of the balloon divided by volume?

AM
 
  • #5
That they should equal the density of the air!
 

Related to Air Balloon Ballast Q: Find Weight to Rise 105m in 15s

1. How does the weight of an air balloon affect its ability to rise?

The weight of an air balloon directly affects its ability to rise. The heavier the weight, the more ballast (weight) is needed to lift the balloon. Conversely, a lighter weight will require less ballast for the balloon to rise.

2. What is the formula for determining the weight needed to rise a certain distance in a given time?

The formula for determining the weight needed to rise a certain distance in a given time is W = mgh/t, where W is the weight needed, m is the mass of the balloon, g is the acceleration due to gravity, h is the height to be reached, and t is the time it takes to reach that height.

3. How does air density affect the amount of ballast needed for an air balloon to rise?

Air density plays a key role in determining the amount of ballast needed for an air balloon to rise. Higher air density means that more ballast will be needed to overcome the weight of the balloon and rise to a certain height. Similarly, lower air density will require less ballast for the balloon to rise.

4. Can the weight of an air balloon be adjusted during flight to control its ascent and descent?

Yes, the weight of an air balloon can be adjusted during flight to control its ascent and descent. More ballast can be added to make the balloon heavier and descend, while releasing ballast will make the balloon lighter and ascend.

5. What other factors besides weight and air density can affect the ability of an air balloon to rise?

In addition to weight and air density, other factors that can affect the ability of an air balloon to rise include temperature, wind speed and direction, and the design and construction of the balloon. These factors can impact the buoyancy and aerodynamics of the balloon, affecting its ascent and descent.

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