How Much Helium Can a 11m Diameter Balloon Hold and What Can It Lift?

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SUMMARY

An 11-meter diameter spherical helium balloon at 15 degrees Celsius and 100 kPa contains approximately 842.69 kg of helium. The calculation utilizes the ideal gas law, specifically the formula m = PV/RT, where P is pressure, V is volume, R is the specific gas constant, and T is temperature in Kelvin. The discussion highlights a potential misunderstanding of the balloon's capacity, questioning the feasibility of lifting a mass close to a metric ton of helium at atmospheric pressure.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the ideal gas law and its components (P, V, R, T).
  • Basic knowledge of gas constants specific to helium.
  • Familiarity with unit conversions (e.g., kPa to kN/m).
  • Concept of buoyancy and how it relates to lifting capacity of gases.
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  • Research the ideal gas law in detail, focusing on its application to helium.
  • Learn about buoyancy principles and how they apply to gas-filled balloons.
  • Explore calculations for lifting capacity based on gas density and volume.
  • Investigate the effects of temperature and pressure on gas behavior in balloons.
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Students in physics or engineering, balloon designers, and anyone interested in the principles of buoyancy and gas laws.

annas425
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A spherical helium balloon 11 m in diameter is at ambient temperature and pressure, 15 degrees Celsius and 100 kPa. How much helium does it contain? It can list a total mass of balanced atmospheric air. How much mass of the balloon fabric & cage can then be lifted?

Here is my work but I'm unsure if it's correct. If someone could let me know I would really appreciate it. I also don't know how to answer the second part of the problem at all. Thanks in advance!

r = 5.5 m
T = 15°C = 288.15 K
P = 100 kPa = 100 kN/m
R = .287 kN m/kg K

m = PV/RT = 842.69 kg Helium
 
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annas425 said:
m = PV/RT = 842.69 kg Helium
You seem to have hybridised two formulae:
PV = mRspecT
PV = nRT
where m is mass, n is number of moles, and Rspec is a constant specific to the gas.
 
What did you get for the volume of the balloon?

Does it really make sense to you that a balloon of this volume can hold close to a metric ton of helium at atmospheric pressure?

chet
 

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