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. P

    Launching Balloon: Calculating Force F(t)

    The following came from a discussion about launching a balloon. Suppose you have a heavy coiled rope of total length, L, and constant linear density, MU. You take hold of one end of the rope and pull it vertically up with a force, F(t), so that the tip of the rope moves at a constant...
  2. M

    Calculating Helium Needed for a Balloon to Float

    Homework Statement The mass of an unfilled balloon is 7.5g. How much helium has to be filled in the balloon to make it float in air? density of helium: 0.18kg/m^3 density of air: 1.29kg/m^3Homework Equations When I calculate the volume like this: (7.5*10^-3kg)/(0.18kg/m^3)=0.041m^3 and than I...
  3. G

    High altitude balloon gas expansion

    Homework Statement Could someone help me calculate the rate of expansion of gas (helium or hydrogen) in a balloon at different altitudes. temperature is -30f at all altitudes http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/air-altitude-pressure-d_462.html <- chart for air pressure Homework...
  4. P

    Troubleshooting a Weather Balloon Expansion Problem

    Homework Statement A weather balloon is designed to expand to a maximum radius of 30 m when in flight at its working altitude where the air pressure is 0.033 atm and the temperature is 95 K. If the balloon is filled at atmospheric pres- sure and 462 K, what is its radius at lift-off...
  5. T

    Exploring the Limits of the Balloon Analogy for Cosmology

    The analogy always used is to draw two points on the surface of a balloon and then blow air in the balloon. The points move away as the balloon expands. The issue I have with this is: now draw a "meter stick" on the surface of the balloon. It expands too, at the same rate, so that the number...
  6. P

    Raisin pudding or balloon at LHC

    If the LHC discovers energy evaporating to other branes, will the 'raisin pudding' analogy be abandoned in favor of the balloon analogy?
  7. B

    A balloon and a springfind extension

    Homework Statement A light spring of constant k = 85.0 N/m rests vertically on a table (as shown in part a) of the figure below). A 2.25 g balloon is filled with helium (density = 0.180 kg/m3) to a volume of 5.95 m3 and is then connected to the spring, causing it to stretch as shown in part...
  8. P

    Funny balloon thought experiment

    Thought experiment: a sealed container with water in it, along with a balloon. You are able to control the balloon with a string from the outside somehow, and this string however is still sealing perfectly. No leaks in the system. The balloon is taken down to the very bottom of the container...
  9. N

    What Physics Principle Explains Why a Balloon Shoots Out When Air Rushes Out?

    Homework Statement When the air rush out of a balloon, it shoots out. What physics principle is responsible for this behavior? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Is it due to Newton's 2 nd law or 3 rd law?? We can compare this to a rocket propulsion. We can explain...
  10. S

    Weather balloon in wind, find displacement

    1. A weather balloon travels upward for 6 km while the wind blows it 10 km north and 8 km east. Approximately what is its final displacement from its intial position? I am not sure how to look at this. I know they are vectors which makes this a bit complicated and I know I have to use...
  11. F

    Calculating Oxygen Leakage from a Balloon

    leaking air?? Homework Statement Suppose we make a circular hole 3 millimeter in diameter in a balloon. Calculate the initial rate at which oxygen escapes through the hole (at 0° C), in number of oxygen atoms leaving the balloon per second. Homework Equations i used 1/4 nAv where n...
  12. M

    Calculating the Average Force of a Weather Balloon on an Airplane

    Homework Statement An Airplane is traveling at 225 m/s when it strikes a weather balloon (m=1.82 kg) which can be considered to..? be at the rest relative to the ground below. After the collision, the balloon is caught on the fuselage and is traveling with the airplane. The collision takes...
  13. T

    Man climbs rope ladder attached to balloon with acceleration relative to ladder

    Homework Statement There is a balloon of mass Mb. A rope ladder of negligible mass is hung from it. A man of mass m stands on the rope ladder. A buoyant force F acts on the balloon, causing the man-balloon-ladder system to accelerate upwards. Now, the man climbs up the rope ladder towards...
  14. S

    Mass and Acceleration of a Balloon in General Terms

    Homework Statement Hot-air balloon of mass M is descending straight down with acceleration a. How much Mass must be discarded to make acceleration a the same magnitude, but directly up instead of directly down? Disregard wind resistance/lift. Homework Equations The only one my book...
  15. A

    Dropped from a hot air balloon

    1. A hot-air balloon is ascending at the rate of 11 m/s and is 53 m 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? 2. v = u + at s = ut + 1/2 a t^2 v^2 = u^2 + 2as 3. s...
  16. P

    Rubber balloon in electric field

    Homework Statement A rubber balloon has a charge q evenly distributed over its surface. It is put into a uniform electric field of 120 N/C. What is the charge inside the balloon? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I thought that E inside would be 120 since before it is...
  17. P

    Injecting an unflated balloon with vacuum

    Would the balloon inflate , deflate or do nothing if I injected the balloon with nothing but vacuum? Is it even possible to inject vacuum into an unflated balloon?
  18. M

    How Can I Calculate X Ideal for a Water Balloon Launcher?

    Homework Statement Given hb (m) = 1 (Height of point B) theta = 30 (degrees - launch angle) k (N/m)= 60 (assume the graph is linear) m (g) = 250 (balloon mass) 1. If Xs (cm) = 150 (pull distance) a) Find the estimated Vb and the landing X (ideal case where Ein =Eout) b) The balloon land...
  19. S

    Calculating Air Escape from a Balloon: How Much Air is Lost in the First Minute?

    Air is escaping from a balloon at a rate of R(t) = 60/(1+t2) cubic feet per minute, where t is measured in minutes. How much air, in cubic feet, escapes during the first minute? dr/dt = 60/(1 + t2) if I plug the time in (1) for (t) I should get 60/2 or 30 This seems a tad bit too easy...
  20. L

    Calculating Pressure in a Meteorological Balloon at -20.0C

    Homework Statement A meteorological baloon had a radius of 1 m when released from sea level and expanded to a radius of 3 m when it had risen to it's maximum altitude, where the temperature was -20.0C. What is the pressure inside the balloon at that altitude? Homework Equations PV = nRT...
  21. M

    What is the maximum payload a helium balloon can lift at 0 degrees C?

    Homework Statement a) a light balloon is filled with 400m^3 of helium at 0 degree C, the balloon can lift a payload of what mass? b) what if? the density of hydrogen is nearly 1/2 the density of helium. what load can the balloon lift if filled with hydrogen? answer A) 444Kg B) 480Kg I have...
  22. C

    Water Balloon Drop Final Exam Review

    Im doing Final exam review this is the first question please check! Thank you! Homework Statement 1. Water balloon drop. You and your physics major roommate devise a plan to drop water balloons on classmates entering your dorm. Just as they cross a mark that’s 3.0 m from the door, you’ll...
  23. D

    Create a Vacuum Air Balloon - Get Expert Opinions

    "Vacuum" Air Balloon I have bounced around various sites and forums but I wanted to get a feel from some of those that may actually know. I have a theory on how this could work but basically wanted to get some opinions. My theory is not new but has a few added components. A geodesic sphere...
  24. R

    Air Balloon ( 5.5 inch diameter) vs Helium gas balloon ( 11 inch diameter )?

    Homework Statement You blow up an ordinary party balloon with air until it has a diameter of 5.5 inches. Your friend blows up another balloon with helium gas until it has a diameter of 11 inches. Air consists mostly of O2 and N2 molecules, while helium gas consists of He atoms. Assume the...
  25. I

    Calculating Acceleration of Rising Balloon

    Homework Statement What is the acceleration of a rising hot-air balloon if the ratio of the air density outside the balloon to that inside is 1.30? Neglect the mass of the balloon fabric and the basket. Homework Equations g=9.81 m/s^s The Attempt at a Solution I thought it would...
  26. R

    How to Calculate the Volume for a Lead Balloon to Float with Helium?

    Homework Statement So the question is what volume is required to make a lead spherical balloon float. It is filled with helium, the P=10^5 Pa, the Temp is 300K and the thickness of the lead balloon shell is .1mm Any ideas on sending me in a direction with this one?Homework Equations The...
  27. A

    Weather Balloon Question: Calculating Acceleration, Velocity, and Net Force

    Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm doing physics through correspondents, so I have nobody to explain this kind of thing to me. Homework Statement The instruments attached to a weather balloon have a mass of 5.0kg. a) The balloon is released and exerts an upward force of 98 N on...
  28. I

    Hot air Balloon scale drawing

    1.Hi, I need to create a scale drawing of a hot air balloon at which we are creating, it is odd because I don't know how big it's going to be and have no idea how to make a scale drawing, the balloon does not need a basket but will have mints attached to it (as passengers) to see if it can hold...
  29. D

    Energy with inflation of Balloon problem

    Homework Statement A balloon is being inflated to its full extent by heating the air inside it. In the final stages of this process, the volume of the balloon changes from 4.00 x 106 L to 4.50 x 106 L by the addition of 1.3 x 108 J of energy as heat. Assuming that the balloon expands...
  30. K

    Equivalence principle and Helium balloon.

    Homework Statement Use the equivalence principle to explain the observation that a helium balloon leans forward in a forward-accelerating car. Homework Equations I don't think equations are needed. The Attempt at a Solution I'm completely confused on this question
  31. J

    Physics hot air balloon problem

    Physics problem...! A hot air balloon is ascending straight up at a constant speed of 7.50 m/s. When the balloon is 15.0 m above the ground, a gun fires a pellet straight up from ground level with an initial speed of 38.0 m/s. Along the paths of the balloon and the pellet, there are two places...
  32. M

    Newton's Third Law hot air balloon

    Homework Statement A physics student in a hot air balloon ascends vertically at a constant speed. Consider the following four forces. that arise in this question. F1 = the weight of the hot air balloon F2 = the weight of the student F3 = the force of the student pulling on the earth F4...
  33. M

    Kinematics balloon problem help

    Homework Statement A student at a window on the second floor of a dorm sees his physics professor coming along the walkway beside the building. He drops a water balloon from 18.0 m above the ground when the prof is 1.00 m from the point directly beneath the window. If the prof is 180 cm...
  34. E

    Archimede's Principle-Hot air balloon floating

    1. Homework Statement A hot-air balloon plus cargo has a mass of 1890kg and a volume of 11430m^3. The balloon is floating at a constant height of 6.25m above ground. What is the density of hot air in the balllon? 2. Homework Equations : The force of buoyancy is equal to...
  35. I

    A balloon is rising at 19 m/s when

    Homework Statement A balloon is rising at 19 m/s when its passenger throws a ball straight up at 21 m/s. How much later does the passenger catch the ball?Homework Equations Don't know relevant equations. except v(t)=vot-0.5(9.8)t^2 but I don't think that works. The Attempt at a Solution I've...
  36. S

    Trigonometry - Hot Air Balloon - Homework Question

    Homework Statement Hello all, I am having trouble with the following homework question using trigonometric formulas and the Sine Law. Here is the problem: Jack spotted a hot air balloon from his house at angle of elevation 57 degrees. Jack's friend who lives 26 km from Jack's house spotted...
  37. J

    I want to Ionize Hydrogen in a Balloon

    Right now I blow up latex balloons with hydrogen. I am using the 20KV from a TV anode. I don't seem to be able to just stick the bare wire end of this HV source to ionize the Hydrogen. Covering the outside of the balloon with tin foil and putting the 20KV on that did next to nothing. Any...
  38. J

    Making a bouyant high altitude balloon?

    Ok, I'm sure all of you have heard about or even built high altitude balloons. They often travel to about 80,000 - 100,000 feet (about 30 km or so). I was reading about a lot of them lately and I noticed that all designs had a parachute so that when the balloon burst, the payload could safely...
  39. T

    Adiabatic Hot-Air Balloon Rising Question

    [SOLVED] Adiabatic Hot-Air Balloon Rising Question Homework Statement A large research balloon containing 2.00 x 10^3 m^3 of helium gas at 1.00 atm and a temperature of 15.0 degrees Celsius rises rapidly from ground level to an altitude at which the atmospheric pressure is only 0.900 Atm...
  40. K

    Is the universe like a balloon?

    Some physicists have told me that the universe is like the surface of a balloon. Does this mean that if it were possible to travel at an infinite speed, you'd come back to the same place if you traveled straight in one direction?
  41. G

    Adiabatic expansion of a balloon

    Homework Statement A flexible balloon contains 0.375 mol of hydrogen sulfide gas H2S. Initially the balloon of H2S has a volume of 6750 cm^3 and a temperature of 29.0 C. The H2S first expands isobarically until the volume doubles. Then it expands adiabatically until the temperature returns...
  42. G

    Solving Flexible Balloon H2S Gas Problem: Q, ΔU, W & V

    Homework Statement A flexible balloon contains 0.375 mol of hydrogen sulfide gas H2S. Initially the balloon of H2S has a volume of 6750 cm^3 and a temperature of 29.0 C. The H2S first expands isobarically until the volume doubles. Then it expands adiabatically until the temperature returns...
  43. G

    Helium balloon in water and air

    If I were to let go of a Helium balloon with a volume of 3 liter at a depth of 10 meters, how do i calculate te time it will take the balloon to reach an altitude of a 100 meters in the air? And what changes if its not helium but hydrogen for instance? hope anyone can help me with this
  44. E

    Rubber balloon is rubbed against a wall and then sticks to the wall

    Homework Statement A rubber balloon is rubbed against a wall and then sticks to the wall. This is because 2. multiple choice a. the balloon and the wall exchange charges through contact b. electrons hop back and forth between the balloon and the wall c. the balloon induces an...
  45. C

    How Do I Make a Balloon Pop by Itself?

    Hi, I'm trying to find a way to make a balloon pop by itself in somebody's hands without them seeing how it happened. What's the best way to do this? Thanks, -Cory
  46. S

    PE and KE of a water balloon

    A prankster drops a water balloon from the top of a building on an unsuspecting person on the sidewalk below. If the balloon is traveling at 30.3m/s when it strikes a person's head ( 1.5m above ground). How tall is the building? Neglect air resistance. PE= KE mgh=.5*mv^2 h= v^2/2g...
  47. M

    Balloon neutral buoyancy + an interesting idea

    Hi, I'm trying to achieve neutral buoyancy with a sounding balloon (a large latex balloon). Is there a certain weight/helium ratio that will make it afloat at 10km/20km etc (tyhe balloon bursting altitude is ~38km) One idea that I had was to attach another balloon, which is mostly empty...
  48. R

    Spherical Balloon - Related Rates Problem

    [SOLVED] Spherical Balloon - Related Rates Problem Homework Statement A spherical balloon is inflated so that its radius increases at a rate of 1 cm/min. How fast is the volume increasing when: a) the diameter is 2000 cm b) the surface area is 324 pi cm^2 ---> I have solved this already...
  49. ~christina~

    Helium balloon and simple harmonic motion

    Homework Statement A light baloon filled wiht helium and with a density of 0.180kg/m^3 is tied to a light string of length L= 3.00m. The string is tied to the ground, forming an "inverted" simple pendulum. The balloon is displaced slightly from it's equillibrium position, as shown in picture...
  50. J

    Why a balloon sticks to the wall

    I cannot find this in my book and i cannot wrap my brain around it...i am more of an analytical person... The question is-A negatively charged balloon is sticking to the wall. Does this mean that the wall is positively charged?Explain.Eventually, the balloon falls down. Explain why. The...
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