How high can a helium baloon rise to space?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential altitude a helium balloon can reach, the forces acting on it, and the materials involved in its construction. Participants explore the physics of buoyancy, the properties of gases like helium and hydrogen, and the engineering challenges associated with high-altitude ballooning.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the maximum altitude a helium balloon can achieve and the gravitational and pressure conditions at that height.
  • There are suggestions to use calculators for high-altitude ballooning to estimate potential altitudes.
  • One participant questions whether a helium balloon can go higher due to particle density and asks about alternatives to helium.
  • Hydrogen is proposed as an alternative gas that could potentially allow for higher altitudes, though safety concerns are raised regarding its use.
  • Participants discuss the relationship between balloon size, weight, and lift, noting that a larger balloon is more effective than multiple smaller ones.
  • There is a challenge regarding the understanding of buoyancy and Archimedes' Principle, with some participants expressing frustration over the perceived lack of basic physics knowledge.
  • One participant expresses a desire for simpler explanations and a more relaxed discussion atmosphere, while others emphasize the importance of understanding fundamental concepts.
  • Concerns are raised about the feasibility of the proposed balloon designs, particularly regarding material limitations and the physics of lift.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the feasibility of high-altitude ballooning, the use of different gases, and the engineering principles involved. There is no consensus on the best approach or solution, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the practicality of the proposed ideas.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding buoyancy and the physics of lift, indicating that further exploration of these concepts is necessary. There are also references to the challenges of material properties at high altitudes, which remain unaddressed in detail.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring high-altitude ballooning, those curious about the physics of gases and buoyancy, and inventors seeking feedback on innovative concepts related to balloon design.

Deleted member 656102
Hey i have these ideas in which i use helium baloons. I wonder how high does it go and what is the gravity force and pressure at this point?
 
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Perhaps google HAB altitude calculator or HAB burst calculator.

I think UK may hold world record...

https://ukhas.org.uk/general:uk_records
 
Just about answers my question. After that it can go any higher? Because of the particle density or what?

Is there an alternative to helium that can go higher?
 
Robert Petrusic said:
Is there an alternative to helium that can go higher?
Hydrogen.
 
I assume the altitude depends on the capability of the balloon material to stretch and its weight.
 
Nasa was giving milion dollars for this but here it is.
IMG-20190111-WA0004.jpg

This is a lif that is (HUGE) made out of segments. Each segment is conected but every segment carries only the weight of it self. The lift liftes the cargo each segment at a time until it reaches its final destination. At the top should probably be a larger segment... like a liftoff base. But the advantage is that the rockets should be much smaller. Its just a concept. Please, witouth the negative additude.
 

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A.T. said:
Hydrogen.

Under no circumstances would I advise someone inexperienced to use hydrogen. Under very few circumstances would I even advise someone experienced to use hydrogen.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Sorry, I know you've said you're a genius (https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/inventor-wanting-to-start-prototyping.964169/#post-6118245), but this won't work.

A balloon has to lift at least its own weight. The weight scales as the square of the radius. The lift scales as the cube of its radius. That means you want one big balloon and not multiple small balloons.
Actually i tought i was stupid but the tests said that i am a genius, so..

The problem with one big baloon is that this way the cable would be long 40 kilometers.

What do you mean about baloon needing to lift its one weight, what about zeppelins? They carried weight.
 
  • #10
Robert Petrusic said:
Actually i tought i was stupid but the tests said that i am a genius, so..

The problem with one big balloon is that this way the cable would be long 40 kilometers.

What do you mean about balloon needing to lift its one weight, what about zeppelins? They carried weight.

Quick, clarifying question: Are you familiar with the concept of buoyancy and Archimedes Principle?

I think there are people who have responded to you and assumed that you know this. I'm not so sure that you do.

Zz.
 
  • #11
ZapperZ said:
Quick, clarifying question: Are you familiar with the concept of buoyancy and Archimedes Principle?

I think there are people who have responded to you and assumed that you know this. I'm not so sure that you do.

Zz.

No i don't know.

So you seem like a reasonable guy.
Can you tell me in common english what's the problem with this?

Edit: If you carry one killo at a time its progress.
 
  • #12
Robert Petrusic said:
No i don't know.

So you seem like a reasonable guy.
Can you tell me in common english what's the problem with this?

Edit: If you carry one killo at a time its progress.

Then maybe that is where you should start. I recommend looking up Archimedes principle.

For example, why do you think blimps and hot-air balloons are often very large in size? And another thing for you to consider, if these things are in vacuum, this wouldn't work, i.e. there will be no uplift.

Zz.
 
  • #13
I came to this forum to look for explanations and ideas for my inventions, didnt know this was a forum only for PhD's in Physics.
I would like to learn physics but i don't have time because it would take me about 6 years.

My Elevators baloons are also big, actually, they would be the biggest ever built.

And yes, i know that in vacuum there is no uplift. The plan was to take it as far as it would go.
Doesn't mean that it's the solution but its a possibility.

So to get back to explaining... what's the problem with this?
 
  • #14
Robert Petrusic said:
I came to this forum to look for explanations and ideas for my inventions, didnt know this was a forum only for PhD's in Physics.
It is not. However, we decided not to copy the entire Wikipedia here.
 
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  • #15
If you don't file like explaining don't post. I didn't ask for wikipedia, just some basic explanation. I don't feel like looking trough entire physics classes from beginning to the end the end to see if couple of my ideas work. I was expecting some relaxed comments, and normal communication, but i don't mind.
 
  • #16
Robert Petrusic said:
So to get back to explaining... what's the problem with this?
Calculate! You have weight, which gives you the amount of gas needed in dependence of height. Then take into consideration, how much your material can be stretched to compensate for the decreasing air pressure. We are not a substitution to Google.
 
  • #17
fresh_42 said:
It is not. However, we decided not to copy the entire Wikipedia here.

fresh_42 said:
Calculate! You have weight, which gives you the amount of gas needed in dependence of height. Then take into consideration, how much your material can be stretched to compensate for the decreasing air pressure. We are not a substitution to Google.

i have 300 different ideas for inventions, and i didn't learn physics in school. Don't feel like talking to google for 2 years to find out, but seems that computers are much more friendly than humans.
 
  • #18
Robert Petrusic said:
i have 300 different ideas for inventions, and i didn't learn physics in school. Don't feel like talking to google for 2 years to find out, but seems that computers are much more friendly than humans.

Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts.

This forum, and many of its longtime members, tend to have the philosophy that it is better to teach you how to fish, rather than just give you the fish. It is the most effective way to learn (many of us are also teachers/instructors, so we base this on experience). This way, you understand the fundamental concept related to the problem, and you will be able to tackle the same type of problem next time.

The issue with just giving you an answer is that it very seldom ENDS there! We often find ourselves explaining our explanation, because the questioner does not understand the stuff that one needs to be able to comprehend the answer. Then when we explain the explanation, there often will be question on that subsequent explanation. This then becomes the case of trying to go one step forward, but then going 2 steps back.

I tried to give you a "keyword" that you can look up to understand the fundamental physics associated with buoyancy. It will at least allow you to find not only an explanation on why something would "float", but also quantitative description of the physics. I find it extremely puzzling that you can make a claim of the size of your balloon without understanding how to calculate what is needed. Did you simply make a guess? Is this good enough?

There are many valuable lessons here that you can learn from your interaction with the members of this forum so far. As always, we can lead you to water, but we can't make you drink it. The effort falls on you. If you are looking for instant gratification, then you may have found the wrong place.

Zz.

Edit: After I wrote all that, it looks like the OP has "left the building"! :)
 
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  • #19
ZapperZ said:
Edit: After I wrote all that, it looks like the OP has "left the building"! :)
Yeah, weird. Okay, thanks everybody for trying to help this person learn how to fish! :smile:
 

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