How many balloons would it take to lift an object?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter moonman239
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Lift
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the number of balloons required to lift an object based on the principles of buoyancy and gravity. The key equation presented is the difference between the weight of air displaced by the balloon and the weight of the balloon itself, which determines the lift force. The gravitational acceleration is established at approximately 10 m/s², and the force needed to keep an object aloft is calculated as the mass of the object multiplied by this gravitational constant. The primary inquiry is the upward force generated by a single balloon.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of buoyancy principles
  • Basic knowledge of gravitational force calculations
  • Familiarity with mass and weight concepts
  • Knowledge of the physics of gases and air displacement
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of buoyancy and Archimedes' principle
  • Learn how to calculate lift force for different types of balloons
  • Explore the effects of atmospheric pressure on balloon lift
  • Investigate the relationship between gas volume and lift in helium balloons
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, hobbyists interested in aerodynamics, and anyone exploring practical applications of buoyancy and lift in real-world scenarios.

moonman239
Messages
276
Reaction score
0
Like what's the equation?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
weight of air displaced - weight of balloon = lift
 
moonman239 said:
Like what's the equation?

We know gravity is ~10 meters a second per second downward. So, if I had an object of mass M the force needed to keep an object up in the air would be M*10. Now, the only question is how much force does one balloon produce in the upward direction?

Edit: beaten
 

Similar threads

High School Lifting an Object: Work, Force, and Cosine
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Undergrad What is the minimum force required to lift an object?
  • · Replies 128 ·
5
Replies
128
Views
11K
High School Why do sails on a boat generate lift perpendicular to the sails?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
High School Potential energy and lifting an object vertically
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
4K
Graduate Bernoulli, lift and cause & effect
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
4K
High School Lifting an object with a mass difference of just 1kg
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
High School Fluid Flow Deflection Bending Ahead of Airfoil?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School Work done in lifting and lowering an object
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
5K
Undergrad Predicting lift on an Aerofoil with varying Angles of Attack
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Undergrad Hydrogen balloon experiment -- How high can it rise?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K