Calculating Volume of Weather Balloon to Lift 4220kg Package

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the required volume of a weather balloon filled with helium to lift a total load of 4220kg, including the balloon's weight of 507kg. The buoyancy principle, specifically Archimedes' principle, is applied to determine that the necessary volume is 4260 m³. The equation used incorporates the weights of the balloon, package, and helium, balancing them against the buoyant force. The final formula derived is 1.29 * volume * 9.81 = F(buoyant).

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A 507kg weather balloon is designed to lift a 4220kg package. What volume should the balloon have after being filled with helium at STP in order that the total load can be lifted.

I have no idea how to start this problem...
 
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This is a bouyancy problem. Get to the Archemedes section of your text. Find densities of air and helium.

The buoyant force balances the total weight of the balloon , tha package and the helium gas.

I get a volume of 4260 m^3.
 
Last edited:
All right, so:

W(balloon) + W(package) W(helium) = F(buoyant)
4973.67 + 41398.2 + [0.179 * volume * 9.81](heluim) = F
= 1.29 * volume * 9.81

But what do I put if for volume..??
 
got it thanks
 

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