- #1
confusedbyphysics
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I can not figure this out for the life of me! I know the answer is 920 kg, but I have to know how to get there so I can do my WebAssign problem!
Here's the problem:
" A spherical balloon has a radius of 7.35 m and is filled with helium. How large a cargo can it lift, assuming that the skin and structure of the balloon have a mass of 930 kg? Neglect the buoyant force on the cargo volume itself."
So the buoyant force must = the weight of the helium plus the weight of the balloon
So F(b) = (mass of helium + mass of cargo) X 9.8
F(b) = Density of air X volume X 9.8
9.8 cancels out on both sides.
Density of air is 1.29 kg/m^3 so
1.29V = (mass of helium + mass of cargo)
mass of helium = density of helium (.179) X volume
so 1.29V - .179(V) = mass of cargo
V for a sphere = 4/3 (pi) (r)^3 = 1663.2
plug that in and I get 1847.8 for the mass, which is WRONG
strangely if I divide that by 2 I get the right answer though... 924, which rounded down would be 920, but I have no idea why id divide it by 2..
someone help please (i hope this makes some sense, I don't think I am making sense to myself, lol)
Here's the problem:
" A spherical balloon has a radius of 7.35 m and is filled with helium. How large a cargo can it lift, assuming that the skin and structure of the balloon have a mass of 930 kg? Neglect the buoyant force on the cargo volume itself."
So the buoyant force must = the weight of the helium plus the weight of the balloon
So F(b) = (mass of helium + mass of cargo) X 9.8
F(b) = Density of air X volume X 9.8
9.8 cancels out on both sides.
Density of air is 1.29 kg/m^3 so
1.29V = (mass of helium + mass of cargo)
mass of helium = density of helium (.179) X volume
so 1.29V - .179(V) = mass of cargo
V for a sphere = 4/3 (pi) (r)^3 = 1663.2
plug that in and I get 1847.8 for the mass, which is WRONG
strangely if I divide that by 2 I get the right answer though... 924, which rounded down would be 920, but I have no idea why id divide it by 2..
someone help please (i hope this makes some sense, I don't think I am making sense to myself, lol)