Buoyant forces on hot-air balloon

In summary, the conversation is about a person who is struggling with an exam question involving a hot air balloon with an acceleration of 1.10m/s and a total mass of 315kg. They want to know the upward force on the system and the mass of ballast that must be thrown off to change the acceleration to zero without the use of fuel and negligible air resistance. However, others in the conversation are unable to provide assistance due to the rules and the person is advised to calm down and think about potential ideas and equations that may be involved in solving the question.
  • #1
franklyn
1
0
hey guys i have an exam tomorrow so i guess a uick reply would help .. my mind is totaly blocked as to how to solve this question.

hot air baloon experiences an acceleration of 1.10m/s total mass equals 315kg
a) what is the upward (buoyant) force on the system
b) the baloonist wishes to change the acceleration to zero there is no fuel ...determine the mass of ballast that must be thrown of ...air resistance neglegible..

if anyone could answer this it would really help.
 
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  • #2
Sorry franklyn, but we can't help you (read the rules) unless you make an effort.

Calm down. Do not panic.

What ideas do you have ? What concepts/equations might be involved here ?
 
  • #3


Hi there,

I understand that you have an exam tomorrow and are feeling overwhelmed. I will try my best to help you with this question about buoyant forces on a hot air balloon.

First, let's define the buoyant force. It is the upward force exerted on an object by a fluid (in this case, air) that opposes the weight of the object. In this problem, the hot air balloon is experiencing an acceleration of 1.10m/s and has a total mass of 315kg.

a) To find the upward (buoyant) force on the system, we can use the formula Fb = ρVg, where ρ is the density of air, V is the volume of the balloon, and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8m/s^2). Since the acceleration is given in the problem, we can use the formula Fb = m(g + a), where m is the mass of the balloon. Plugging in the values, we get Fb = (315kg)(9.8m/s^2 + 1.10m/s) = 3256.5N. So, the upward force on the system is 3256.5N.

b) Now, let's determine the mass of ballast that must be thrown off to change the acceleration to zero. Since the acceleration is caused by the weight of the balloon, we need to decrease the weight by throwing off some mass. Using the formula F = ma, we can find the mass that needs to be thrown off. Rearranging the formula, we get m = F/a. Plugging in the values, we get m = 3256.5N/1.10m/s^2 = 2960.45kg. So, the mass of ballast that needs to be thrown off is 2960.45kg.

I hope this helps you with your exam preparation. Good luck on your exam!
 

FAQ: Buoyant forces on hot-air balloon

1. What is the buoyant force on a hot-air balloon?

The buoyant force on a hot-air balloon is the upward force exerted by the surrounding air on the balloon. This force is equal to the weight of the displaced air, which is known as Archimedes' principle.

2. How does the temperature of the air affect the buoyant force on a hot-air balloon?

The temperature of the air affects the buoyant force on a hot-air balloon because hot air is less dense than cold air. Therefore, when the air inside the balloon is heated, it becomes less dense and rises, creating an upward buoyant force on the balloon.

3. How does the size and shape of a hot-air balloon affect the buoyant force?

The size and shape of a hot-air balloon do not directly affect the buoyant force. Instead, the buoyant force is determined by the volume of the displaced air, which is equal to the volume of the balloon. However, a larger balloon will require more heat to maintain its buoyancy.

4. Can a hot-air balloon fly in any weather conditions?

No, a hot-air balloon cannot fly in any weather conditions. Wind and rain can affect the stability and control of the balloon, making it unsafe to fly. It is also important to consider the temperature of the air, as extremely hot or cold temperatures can affect the buoyancy and performance of the balloon.

5. How do hot-air balloons stay in the air for long periods of time?

Hot-air balloons can stay in the air for long periods of time by heating the air inside the balloon periodically. This maintains the temperature difference between the inside and outside air, keeping the balloon aloft. Additionally, skilled pilots can use wind currents at different altitudes to stay airborne for longer periods of time.

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