# Homework Help: Fluid Question

1. Apr 25, 2010

### Paymemoney

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
How many cubic meters of helium are required to lift a balloon with 400kg payload to a height of 8000m where the density of air is 0.460kg/m^3 and the density of helium is 0.180kg/m^3. Assume that the balloon maintains a constant volume.

2. Relevant equations
$$\rho = M/V$$

$$F=PA$$

$$F=\rho*g*V$$

$$P=\rho * g * h$$

3. The attempt at a solution
Firstly i found the volume of air which is 869.59m^3 and then from this i found the Buoyancy force for air. The Buoyancy force for air is 3920.02156N

Now to find the Volume of helium

$$F=\rho*g*V$$

$$3920.02156 = 0.180 * 9.8 * V$$

$$V =2222.234m^3$$

However this is the wrong answer, someone tell me what is the problem with my solution?

P.S

2. Apr 25, 2010

### Filip Larsen

I'm not sure how you can start out with a volume like that since that is what this problem directs you to calculate.

Try make an equation that describes the buoyancy force as a function of the so-far unknown volume (hint: this only needs to involve the two densities, the gravity constant, and the volume). Then think about what forces that are acting on the balloon (hint: there are two) and how they must relate to each other if the balloon should be able to just float at the given altitude. You should end up with an equation involving the volume as the only unknown for which you can then solve.

3. Apr 25, 2010

### Paymemoney

That means i would this equation:

$$\rho_h * V_h = \rho_a * V_a$$

The two forces would be the Buoyancy force and mg.

4. Apr 25, 2010

### Filip Larsen

There is only one volume, the volume of the balloon. The buoyancy force can be calculated as the weight of the air the balloon has displaced minus the weight of the helium, both calculated using the same volume (notice that mass and weight are not the same, weight is a force and is mass times the gravitational constant).

You are correct about the two forces involved.

5. Apr 25, 2010

### Paymemoney

so if those are the two forces then:

$$F_n = F_b - mg$$
$$F_n = \rho_a * V * g - \rho_b * V * g$$
$$F_n = Vg(\rho_a - \rho_b)$$

If i sub in the values i get:

$$F_n = 9.8V(0.460 - 0.180)$$
$$F_n = 2.744V$$

Now how can i find the Volume?

6. Apr 25, 2010

### ideasrule

You know that Fn has to be equal to the weight of the payload for the payload to be barely lifted.

7. Apr 25, 2010

### Paymemoney

But isn't Net Force equal to the number of forces acting on the object?

8. Apr 26, 2010

### Filip Larsen

You know the net force is the sum of the two forces Fg and Fb, where Fb is expressed using the yet unknown volume, but since the balloon is floating without accelerating up or down (i.e. it stays at altitude 8000m) you also know from Newtons 2nd law that the net force must be zero. This gives you an equation Fg + Fb = 0 which you can solve for the unknown volume. Take care to get the sign of the two forces correct, i.e. decide which direction (up or down) you consider positive and put signs on the two forces according to that.

9. Apr 26, 2010

### Paymemoney

so is this what it will look like:

$$F_b - F_g = F_b - mg$$

10. Apr 26, 2010

### Filip Larsen

Yes, now you just need to equate this to zero, insert the expression for Fb and solve for the unknown volume.

11. Apr 26, 2010

### Paymemoney

$$\rho * g * V - mg = 2.744V$$

$$4.508V - 3920 = 2.744V$$

$$V= \frac{3920}{1.764}$$

$$V=2222.22m^3$$

This is incorrect, what have i done wrong?

12. Apr 26, 2010

### Filip Larsen

You seem to keep using some of the old (incorrect) equations that involve V on both sides of the equation.

Start from scratch. You have two forces, the gravity force on the payload Fg = m*g and the opposite acting buoyancy force Fb = (rho_a-rho_b)*g*V. Now you insert this into the equation Fb-Fg = 0 and solve for V.