Hot air balloon - Archimedes Principle

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a hot air balloon with a specified volume and densities of the air inside and outside the balloon. The task is to determine the total mass of the hot air balloon using Archimedes' Principle.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Archimedes' Principle and question the integration of gravitational acceleration in the calculations. There is a debate about the definition of mass in relation to buoyant force and the components that contribute to the total mass of the balloon.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the relationship between buoyant force and mass, while others emphasize the need to consider the entire system, including the balloon material and cargo. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly regarding the definition of mass in this context.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity regarding the components that should be included in the total mass of the hot air balloon, as well as the assumptions made about the forces acting on the balloon.

Attis
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Homework Statement



A hot air balloon with V = 500 m^3 is floating in the air without moving. The air outside the balloon has a density of 1,20 kg/m^3, and the hot air inside the balloon has a density of 0,75 kg/m^3. Calculate the total mass of the hot air balloon.

Homework Equations



Archimedes Principle F0 = ρVg

The Attempt at a Solution



I googled the answer to this question, so I already know how to solve it:
F0 = (1,20 -0,75) * 500 = 225 kg

What I don´t understand is why g wasn´t integrated into this answer? How come the answer isn´t (1,20-0,75)*500 * 9,82 =2210 kg?
 
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Attis said:

Homework Statement



A hot air balloon with V = 500 m^3 is floating in the air without moving. The air outside the balloon has a density of 1,20 kg/m^3, and the hot air inside the balloon has a density of 0,75 kg/m^3. Calculate the total mass of the hot air balloon.

Homework Equations



Archimedes Principle F0 = ρVg

The Attempt at a Solution



I googled the answer to this question, so I already know how to solve it:
F0 = (1,20 -0,75) * 500 = 225 kg

What I don´t understand is why g wasn´t integrated into this answer? How come the answer isn´t (1,20-0,75)*500 * 9,82 =2210 kg?


The buoyant force is ρVg, but you made it equal with mass, which is wrong.

Fo has to be equal to the weight, that is, ρ(outside)Vg=ρ(inside)Vg+Mg where M is the mass of the balloon and cargo, without the air inside the balloon.
You can divide the whole equation with g.

ehild
 
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I do not think you described the problem as stated. Because as stated, the answer is simply ## m = \rho V##, where ##\rho## is the hot air density, by definition of density.

The answer that you think should be true is not a correct answer to a question about mass, simply because that answer gives some force.
 
voko said:
I do not think you described the problem as stated. Because as stated, the answer is simply ## m = \rho V##, where ##\rho## is the hot air density, by definition of density.

The total mass of the hot-air balloon was asked. It is not the mass of the air only, but includes both the balloon material and the cargo.


ehild
 
ehild said:
The total mass of the hot-air balloon was asked. It is not the mass of the air only, but includes both the balloon material and the cargo.

Then the answer is wrong. Just the air in the balloon is 375 kg.
 

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