Gravity and Helium: Why Does Helium Float Up?

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SUMMARY

Helium floats in the air due to its lower density compared to the surrounding atmosphere. While gravity exerts a force of approximately 10 m/s² on all objects, the buoyant force acting on helium balloons is greater than the gravitational force due to the density difference. In a vacuum or very thin air, helium does not float because there is insufficient air density to provide the necessary buoyancy. This principle also applies to other objects, such as wood, which can float on water due to similar density differences.

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If gravity aplies the same force on every object, accellerating it to about 10 m/s2 (gee), then how come for example helium floats up to the sky?

Thnx
 
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DB said:
If gravity aplies the same force on every object, accellerating it to about 10 m/s2 (gee), then how come for example helium floats up to the sky?

Thnx

Hint: the helium balloon will NOT float up the sky if it is in a vacuum, or very thin air.

Zz.
 
Because it is "in the sky"- in other words, in air that has a higher density than helium has. The air is attracted by a greater force than the helium is (gravitational force is proportional to the mass) and "pushes" the helium up.
 
DB said:
If gravity aplies the same force on every object, accellerating it to about 10 m/s2 (gee), then how come for example helium floats up to the sky?

Thnx

Hope this isn't too many cooks...

Try this : If gravity applies the same force on every object, accellerating it to about 10 m/s2 (gee), then how come for example wood floats up to the top of a lake ?

NOTE : Gravity does not apply the same force on all objects, it creates the same field (at some height)...but that's not important here.
 

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