What is Balloon: Definition and 481 Discussions

A balloon is a flexible bag that can be inflated with a gas, such as helium, hydrogen, nitrous oxide, oxygen, and air. For special tasks, balloons can be filled with smoke, liquid water, granular media (e.g. sand, flour or rice), or light sources. Modern day balloons are made from materials such as rubber, latex, polychloroprene, or a nylon fabric, and can come in many different colors. Some early balloons were made of dried animal bladders, such as the pig bladder. Some balloons are used for decorative purposes or entertaining purposes, while others are used for practical purposes such as meteorology, medical treatment, military defense, or transportation. A balloon's properties, including its low density and low cost, have led to a wide range of applications.
The rubber balloon was invented by Michael Faraday in 1824, during experiments with various gases. He invented them for use in the lab.

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  1. wasteofo2

    Microscopic Alien life found on British Balloon?

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2416761/Scientists-claim-evidence-ALIEN-LIFE-Balloon-sent-edge-atmosphere-picks-organisms-come-space.html "British scientists believe they have found evidence alien life after sending a balloon to the edge of space. The team of scientists sent...
  2. P

    Does the gas inside a balloon affect the buoyancy?

    There's something that I don't understand about the buoyancy formula. Is the buoyancy defined by the density of the gas inside a balloon multiplied by the volume of the balloon and multiplied by the gravitational acceleration? Or Is the buoyancy defined by the density of the air...
  3. F

    Filling a balloon with helium

    Homework Statement A cylinder containing 15L of helium gas at a pressure of 165 atm is to be used to fill party balloons . Each balloons must be filled to a volume of 2L at a pressure of 1.1 atm. What is the maximum number of balloons that can be inflated? (Hint: the empty cylinder will...
  4. Y

    Hot Air Balloon Shape and Pressure Gradient Within the Envelope

    I am interested in the math involved to calculate the ideal natural teardrop shape for a hot air balloon. I want to learn the details of what is involved to calculate this accurately. I read this https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=658802 which was a really nice start, but it...
  5. veronica1999

    MHB The title for this content could be: "Probability of a Water Balloon Fight

    7 people are having a water balloon fight. At the same time, each of the 7 people throws a water balloon at one of the other 6 people, chosen at random. What is the probability that there are 2 people who throw the balloon at each other? I am having a lot of trouble on this one. First, I...
  6. deep838

    Car with a Balloon: Path of Balloon While Turning?

    Hi everyone, I was just wondering about this... If I tie a balloon outside a car, using a moderately long string, and the car heads for a left turn on the road with constant speed, then while turning, what would be the path followed by the balloon? I was thinking that maybe the balloon...
  7. J

    Rates of change: inflated hot-air balloon

    Homework Statement An inflated hot air balloon can be considered as a perfect sphere woth diameter of 30m. When the hatch is opened, the hot air is lost at a rate of 118m^3/s. For the first 5 seconds, the balloon maintains its spherical shape, but then it begins to collapse. At what rate is...
  8. T

    Is it possible for human powered hot air balloon?

    Hello everybody. I am just a man who interest in physics. And with the question I concern above is the reason I join this forum. Nice to meet you all To the main point I want to know exactly that, Is energy of one person enough to generate hot air for lift balloon system and himself? By any...
  9. T

    Thin walled polymer balloon deflection

    Hi, I am designing an inflatable balloon (long and thin like those used to make balloon animals) with a purpose to support a force in a manner like a cantilever. I am struggling to find literature/assistance regarding the calculations required to determine balloon deflection under a standard...
  10. O

    Balloon Analogy with different visualisation

    I have no formal training in this field. What I do know I have garnered from reading various publications or watching videos. I understand that the balloon analogy isn't popular, partly because once you say balloon people have trouble not thinking about a balloon. What I intend here is to lay...
  11. P

    Weather Balloon and Scuba Diving relationships

    "Weather Balloon" and "Scuba Diving" relationships Hello so I am suppose to state any relationships between a "Weather Ballon" and "Scuba Diving" those could include equations, laws, both rely on a source etc. I know that for the weather balloon the higher you go up the less pressure there is...
  12. Z

    FBD of Hot Air Balloon and Buoyancy

    Homework Statement I want to find all acting forces on a hot air balloon rising form the ground. Volume and mass of balloon are given. Homework Equations F=mg F_{b}=ρVg The Attempt at a Solution Here is my free-body diagram; There are three acting forces: 1) F_1 = mg...
  13. A

    Lift of a helium spherical balloon

    So I was pondering this question: On a conceptual level, how does a perfectly spherical helium balloon rise? I understand that the density of helium gas is lower than that of our atmospheric composition of gases, but that is not giving the full perspective for me. On a molecular level, I feel...
  14. K

    Volume of balloon - Derivative Question

    Homework Statement The volume of a spherical balloon of radius 'r' is Vcm^3, where V =4/3pir^3 The volume of the balloon increases with time 't' seconds according to the formula dV/dt = 1000/(2t+1)^2, t>0 i) Find an expression in terms of 'r' and 't' for dr/dt ii) Given that V = 0 and...
  15. C

    Variable Mass:Sand from balloon

    Homework Statement A balloon of mass M contains a bag of sand of initial mass ##m_o##. The balloon experiences a constant upthrust and is initially at rest and in equilibrium: the upthrust compensates exactly for the gravitational force. At time t=0, the sand is released at a constant rate...
  16. T

    Why Does a Balloon Only Expand at a Certain Air Pressure?

    Notice that when we blow up a balloon, or held up a balloon outside a car and accellerate, the balloon doesn't expand constantly. It seems like there is a critical air pressure for the balloon to start expanding. Is that true and how can we calculate this?
  17. B

    High Altitude Balloon Payload Heat Transfer

    I would like eventually compute the battery duty cycle required to keep a high altitude balloon payload somewhat temperature controlled. On my last flight I failed the GPS tracker due to unknown cause (maybe CTE). At any rate the cold temperatures are not good for components, accelerometer...
  18. P

    Water Balloon to the face physics

    There are many slow motion videos of water balloons dramatically bouncing off of someone's face perfectly intact, yet none seem to explain the physics behind what is happening. Anyone care to explain some physics concepts involved?
  19. P

    Is my understanding of the hot air balloon equation correct?

    I had meet a problem when I study the concept of the hot air balloon. The equation was giving Load = P*V*(1/TempAir - 1/TempBalloon)/R Then I reverse to TempBalloon = 1/[1/TempAir -Load*R/(P*V)] When the volume is less then 1m^3, the temperature calculated giving negative temperature...
  20. J

    Bouyant force accelerates released balloon

    Homework Statement A small balloon filled with helium is released. What is it's initial upward acceleration? The only data given is ρ air = 1.29 kg/m^3 and ρ helium is .18 kg/m^3 I assume the bouyant force ( FB ) = the weight of the air displaced by the balloon so BF = W(air) = ρ(air)...
  21. S

    Calculating Pennies Suspended by Balloon as it Deflates

    Homework Statement A latex balloon, inflated to an excess pressure of 1kPa and a radius of 30cm, is attached to a smooth nozzle, initially stoppered. The stopper is removed, and the balloon deflates in 5 seconds. Imagine that you are using the air stream exiting the balloon to suspend...
  22. Gh778

    How Does Earth's Gravity Affect a Balloon?

    Imagine a balloon with nothing in it except two masses M1 and M2, like first drawing. The gas of atmosphere apply a force to move up Fgas, and the weight apply a force to move down Fm1+2. Weight of M1+M2 is equal to the force from gas (opposite direction). Now, rotate M1 and M2, like that the...
  23. T

    How do you measure the air pressure inside a balloon?

    Unfortunately when I google the answer, the results are just how to use a balloon to measure air pressure. I want to be able to monitor the internal pressure of a balloon using a digital barometer. 1) How would I go about setting up such a system? 2) Would the barometer have to be on the...
  24. B

    Four 100 kg people are holding a 1200 kg inflated balloon

    four 100 kg people are holding a 1200 kg inflated balloon by means of four ropes. three people let go and the balloon accelerates upward at 2 m/ s/s. what is the tension in the rope the last person is holding?
  25. E

    How Hot Must the Air in a Balloon Be to Lift a Given Mass?

    Homework Statement I have a balloon with a volume of 500m3 Outside air temp of 300K Mass to lift of 300kg Molar mass of air is 28 g/mol (I didn't end up using this) I am to find the temperature inside the balloon to barely lift the given mass. I have apparently forgotten everything...
  26. E

    Balloon Thermo/buoyancy question

    Homework Statement Hot air balloons use a burner (typically around 2 MW of power output) to heat the air in the envelope (the balloon part of the hot air balloon). Consider a typical envelope with a volume of V = 2800 m3. The weight of the balloon (envelope, basket and passengers, but not...
  27. J

    Is there a different law for balloon elasticity compared to metal springs?

    Hi, For a linear spring one has Hooke's law: F = k x Is there an equivalent law for a spherical elastic balloon giving pressure inside as a function of radius? Thanks, John
  28. K

    Helium balloon problem adiabatic process

    Homework Statement A large research balloon containing 2000 m^3 of helium gas at 1.00 atm and a temperature of 15.0 celsius rises rapidly from ground level to an altitude at which the atmospheric pressure is only 0.900 atm (the figure (Figure 1) ). Assume the helium behaves like an ideal gas...
  29. P

    Why Is the Tear Drop Shape Optimal for Hot Air Balloons?

    I had read an article about a hot air balloon, when coming into balloon shape design, I had question on it. For best shape of the air balloon was the tear drop shape, but I do not know what is the physics behind it. From the article I read is about the pressure vector, and he is using an...
  30. Y

    Pressure of Helium inside a balloon floating in air

    Pressure of Helium inside a balloon "floating" in air Homework Statement A spherical balloon of radius R = 2.98 m is made from a material of mass M = 3.16 kg and is filled with helium gas at temperature T = 285 K. Assume the thickness of the balloon is negligible compared to the radius of the...
  31. H

    Calculating the Maximum Height of a Helium Balloon

    The Helium balloon of total mass=0.200kg and volume 1.00M^3 is attached a a rope with mass density of 1.00g/m. How high will the balloon rise? I know that air density is 1.204kg/m^3 and that the balloon will stop rising after the density on the inside equals the density on the outside. I...
  32. N

    Is a vacuum balloon posible? Theoretical material?

    Homework Statement So, I was sitting in my algebra based college physics class and we were talking about buoyancy. According to Archimedes' Principal, "an object that is completely or partially submerged in a fluid experiences and upward force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced."...
  33. U

    What is the weight of a balloon filled with air?

    Homework Statement The weight of an empty balloon on a spring balance is w1. The weight becomes w2 when the balloon is filled with air. Let the weight of the air itself be w. Neglect the thickness of the balloon when it is filled with air. Also neglect the difference in the densities of air...
  34. nukeman

    Related rates Balloon question. Thanks

    Homework Statement Air is being pumped into a spherical balloon. Suppose we know the surface area of the balloon increases at a rate of 20cm^2/s when its radius is 4cm. What is the rate its volume is changing at that instant?Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I went... dv/dt = 4∏...
  35. S

    Can a Vacuum Balloon Really be Built Using Aramid Fabric and Carbon-Epoxy Truss?

    I've been enamored with the idea of vacuum balloons for the better part of a decade. I know they're an extremely difficult engineering challenge, and may not actually be possible even with the strongest materials. I've come across a novel approach to the problem, and I'm curious what actual...
  36. wolfspirit

    Thoughts balloon rocket launch

    I have been thinking, weather balloons can go quite high (some up to 1000ft) so would it be possible to take 4 or 5 weather balloons and attach them to the corners of a frame. in the centre of the frame would be a rocket ready to launch at a set altitude. the only problem i can think of is...
  37. M

    Skydiving Balloon: Why Vacuum Isn't Used

    Why can't we fill the balloon with the lightest substance available, i.e. vacuum?
  38. L

    Sandbag Dropped from Moving Balloon

    Homework Statement Hey guys, I'm struggling on the following question: Consider a hot air balloon traveling upwards at a constant speed of 10 m/s. A passenger drops a small sandbag over the side of the balloon when the balloon was 40 m above the ground. For how long does the sandbag stay...
  39. D

    Blowing up a balloon (thermodynamics and ideal gases)

    1. Homework Statement A balloon behaves such that the pressure is P = CV3 where C = 100 kPa/m3 . The balloon is blown up with air from a starting volume of 1 m3 to a volume of 3 m3 . Find the work done by the air. 2. Homework Equations W=PdV 3. The Attempt at a Solution...
  40. D

    Blowing up a balloon (thermodynamics and maybe ideal gases)

    Homework Statement A balloon behaves such that the pressure is P = CV3 where C = 100 kPa/m3 . The balloon is blown up with air from a starting volume of 1 m3 to a volume of 3 m3 . Find the work done by the air. Homework Equations W=PdV The Attempt at a Solution What I...
  41. J

    Air balloon acceleration and mass of ballast that must be droppped

    Homework Statement A research balloon of total mass 220 kg is descending vertically with a downward acceleration of 4.3 m/s2. How much ballast must be thrown from the car to give the balloon an upward acceleration equal to 0.8 m/s2, presuming that the upward lift of the balloon does not...
  42. G

    Is Ripstop Nylon Suitable for Gas-Proof Balloon Envelopes?

    Hello all! I am looking to begin working on some balloon testing. I have a general idea of how I'm going to perform this. For the balloon envelope, I wish to use ripstop nylon, but I have no clue what would be the best way to make it gas-proof? I have considered coating it with both liquid...
  43. Faradave

    Exploring the Expansion of Spacetime: A 3.5D Perspective

    I'm a layman who’s spent a few weeks working through the FAQs and the two substantial sticky threads (most helpful, highly recommended). In order to avoid distraction, I have copied this post from its original location. When we speak of “the universe”, it is important to acknowledge that we...
  44. C

    Solve Balloon Problem Homework: Time & Speed Impact

    Homework Statement Question: A hot-air balloon is ascending at the rate of 12m/s and is 80m above the ground when a package is dropped over the side. a.)How long does the package take to reach the ground? b.)With what speed does it hit the ground? Homework Equations I know -- acceleration =...
  45. W

    Calculating Mass Needed to Ground Hot Air Balloon

    Homework Statement A good estimate for the volume of a particular hot air balloon is 2800 m3. Suppose the total load (passengers, fuel, balloon fabric, etc.) on a hot air balloon is 724 kg. In preparing to launch, the pilot heats the air inside to an average temperature of 210 oC, giving it...
  46. O

    When Will the Compass Hit the Ground?

    Homework Statement A hot-air balloon is rising upward with a constant speed of 2.51m/s. When the balloon is 3.01m above the ground, the balloonist accidentally drops a compass over the side of the balloon. How much time elapses before the compass hits the ground? Homework Equations...
  47. M

    One-D Kinematic Question w/ rising hot air balloon

    Homework Statement A hot-air balloon has just lifted off and is rising at a constant rate of 2.3m/s. Suddenly, one of the passengers realizes she has left her camera on the ground. A friend picks it up and tosses it straight upward with an initial speed of 14m/s. If the passenger is 2.5m...
  48. J

    A balloon lifting a heavy stone

    Homework Statement A party balloon(of mass 0.0025kg when empty) is filled with helium to a volume of 0.0045m3. it is tied to a small stone of mass 0.015kg by a light string of length 1.5m to prevent it from flying away. a child holds the balloon at ground level and then releases it...
  49. H

    Can Balloon Pressure Change Be Calculated by Squeezing?

    Homework Statement Is it possible to find out the increase in pressure in a balloon if I know how much pressure I apply when I squeeze it? Or, alternatively, can I find out the change in volume of the balloon if I know how much pressure I'm applying? I know the initial volume, pressure...
  50. M

    Kooky Idea: Electron Balloon Rocket

    One of the biggest problems with launching things into space is that fuel weighs a lot. With conventional rocketry, mass of fuel per unit of stored energy is high enough that it requires huge rockets to lift even a couple of tons into orbit. Electrons are very light, and can be used to store...
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