How Does a Helium Balloon Achieve Buoyancy at 30 km Altitude?

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In summary, a helium balloon with a combined mass of 20kg is used to lift a payload of 70kg. At an altitude of 30km where the density of air is 0.035kg/m^3, the balloon stops and remains stationary. To calculate the volume of the balloon, we can use the concept of Buoyancy Force and balance it with the total weight. By subtracting the volume of the payload, we can find the volume of the balloon. Another approach is to calculate the weight of the air displaced by the balloon, which is equal to the buoyancy force, and use this to find the volume of the balloon. Both methods can be used to solve this problem.
  • #1
forcedphysics
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a helium balloon, with a combined mass of the balloon and helium of 20kg, is used to lift a payload of 70kg. At an altitude of 30 km the balloon stops and remains stationary.

a. Explain
b. at 30km, the density of air os 0.035kg/m^3. What is the volume of the balloon assuming that the volume of the payload is 0.010m^3

can someone please help, i need to kinda have a idea for my quiz tomorrow

for the vlume i came up with v=m/density

v = 90/.035

v = 2571?
 
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  • #2
I think you should use the concept of Buoyancy Force to solve it..
Balance the buoyancy force and the total weight to get the volume of the balloon and payload, then substract the volume of payload..
 
  • #3
At 30 km, the total force, weight and bouyancy, is 0. You know the weight so you can calculate the bouyancy force- you also know, or should know, that that is equal to the weight of air displaced by the baloon. You are given the volume of the baloon- what would be the weight of that volume of air?
 

Related to How Does a Helium Balloon Achieve Buoyancy at 30 km Altitude?

1. What is density?

Density is a measure of how much matter is packed into a certain volume. It is calculated by dividing the mass of an object by its volume.

2. How do you calculate density?

Density is calculated by dividing the mass of an object by its volume. The equation for density is: density = mass / volume.

3. What units are used to measure density?

The SI unit for density is kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m^3). However, other units such as grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm^3) and grams per milliliter (g/mL) are also commonly used.

4. How does density affect an object's buoyancy?

Density plays a key role in determining an object's buoyancy. Objects with a lower density than the surrounding fluid will float, while objects with a higher density will sink.

5. Can density change?

Yes, density can change depending on the amount of mass and volume of an object. For example, ice has a lower density than liquid water because its molecules are more spread out, while a piece of wood may float in water but sink in oil due to differences in density.

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