- #1
Himal kharel
- 79
- 0
a man tries to make a tyre lighter by filling air in it. is it possible?
Inflating Tyres: Is it Possible to Make Them Lighter?
- Thread starter Himal kharel
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the concept of whether inflating tyres with air can make them lighter. Participants explore theoretical implications and practical considerations related to buoyancy and the properties of air at different temperatures.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions if filling a tyre with air can make it lighter, particularly in the context of a boat full of tyres.
- Another participant presents a calculation involving the weight of the tyre, the weight of the air, and the upthrust, concluding that inflating the tyre makes it heavier due to the density of compressed air being greater than that of normal air.
- A participant suggests the idea of using hot air in the tyre, proposing that a warm tyre could be slightly lighter than a cold one, though they note the difference is negligible.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the effects of inflating tyres with air, with some arguing it makes them heavier while others propose that using hot air could result in a slight reduction in weight. No consensus is reached on the overall question.
Contextual Notes
Discussions involve assumptions about air density and buoyancy effects, as well as the negligible impact of temperature on weight. Mathematical steps and definitions of terms are not fully resolved.
Who May Find This Useful
Individuals interested in physics, particularly those exploring concepts of buoyancy, air properties, and thermodynamics, may find this discussion relevant.
- #2
tiny-tim
Science Advisor
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Hi Himal! 
What do you think?
If you had a boat full of tyres, and you wanted to make the boat lighter (so it didn't sink), would air help?
What do you think?
If you had a boat full of tyres, and you wanted to make the boat lighter (so it didn't sink), would air help?
- #3
Phyreak
- 2
- 0
when it is inflated, the volume increases but the air becomes compressed.
the net force will be
actual wt of tube+weight of air-upthrust
m(of tube)*g+V(of inflated tube)*d(compressed air)*g-V(of inflated tube)*d(normal air)*g
A density of compressed air >density of normal air so instead of being lighter it becomes heavier. So it is impossible
the net force will be
actual wt of tube+weight of air-upthrust
m(of tube)*g+V(of inflated tube)*d(compressed air)*g-V(of inflated tube)*d(normal air)*g
A density of compressed air >density of normal air so instead of being lighter it becomes heavier. So it is impossible
- #4
olivermsun
Science Advisor
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What about filling the tire with really hot air?
- #5
Drakkith
Mentor
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olivermsun said:
With an equal amount of air in a cold tire and a warm tire, the warm tire is SLIGHTLY lighter. But the difference is so small there is no benefit that you could get from it.
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