Fluid Mechanics of a weather balloon

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around fluid mechanics problems related to buoyancy, pressure, and flow rates, specifically focusing on a weather balloon, a submarine, and water pumping in a building context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between buoyancy and volume for the weather balloon, questioning the setup and definitions of density. They also discuss the necessary calculations for pressure in a water line and the speed of water flow from a faucet, with some participants expressing uncertainty about the next steps.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on setting up equations and drawing force diagrams, while others are seeking further clarification on specific problems. There is an ongoing exploration of different interpretations and approaches to the problems presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential typos and misunderstandings regarding units of measurement, such as confusing density with pressure. There is also mention of the need for additional information to fully resolve some of the problems.

python023
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Here are a couple problems I would like to check and a couple I'm not sure how to do:

1.3)A 650kg weather balloon is designed to lift a 4600kg package. What volume should the balloon have after being inflated with helium at 0C and 1 atm pressure to lift the total load?

Density of helium = .179 pa.
.179 = (650 + 4600)/Volume.
Volume = 29000m^3?

1.4) A submerged submarine alters its buoyancy so that it initially accelerates upward at 0.325m/s^2. What is the submarines average density at this time?

The density of seawater is 1.025x10^3 kg/m^3. From here I have no idea where to go. Can someone give me a hint?

2.2) Water is to be pumped to the top of the Empire State Building, which is 366m tall. What gauge pressure is needed in the water line at the base of the building to raise the water to this height?

Based on a formula from my book, Absolute pressure = atmospherice pressure + (density x free-fall acceleration x depth). So,
1.01x10^5 pa + (1.00x10^3 x 9.81 x 366) = 3.69x10^6 pa?

3.3) The water supply of a building is fed through a main entrance pipe that is 6.0cm in diameter. A 2.0cm diameter faucet tap position 2.00m above the main pipe fills a 2.5x10^-2 m^3 container in 30.0s. What is the speed of the faucet and What is the gauge pressure in the main pipe?

The cross-sectional area of the main pipe is .0113 meters^2. The cross-sectional area of the faucet tap is .0013m^2. The flow rate from the faucet is .00083m^3/s. From here I do not know where to go, can someone guide me in the right direction?

Thank you.
 
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that's funny. i have the exact same problems in my textbook!
 
Holt Physics 2002. You wouldn't happen to have the answers too? :smile:
 
bump please
 
bump again
 
First, density can't be measured in pascals, which measures pressure.

You have to find ratios of the density of the fluid displaced vs the density of the fluid used, and when you multiply a density by volume you get either a force or mass, depending on whether you use mass or force density.
 
The .179 pa on the first problem was a typo. So for the first problem i don't simply use density = mass/volume? I don't believe I know what the displacement will be do I? I only know the mass of the objects, the density of helium and the density of air. So how should I set up my equation?
 
Draw a force diagram. You have the weight of the balloon and package directed down. You have the necessary Volume * (force density of air - force density of helium) as the buoyant force directed up.
 
So, 5250 kg = (1.29kg/m3-.179kg/m3)V
Volume = 4700m^3
?
 
  • #10
Looks close, 4725 m^3, assuming your densities are correct. That would be about an 18 meter diameter balloon.
 
  • #11
Yes that's what I had before rounding to 2 significant digits, on 1.1. Thank you.
Any insight on 1.4 or 3.3?
 
Last edited:

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