Max Weight for Helium Balloon: Simple Buoyancy Problem Solution

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the maximum mass that can be attached to a helium-filled balloon without it sinking. It is situated within the context of buoyancy and involves calculations related to the volume of the balloon and the densities of helium and air.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss setting the buoyant force equal to the weight of the attached mass and the balloon. There are attempts to calculate the maximum mass using the balloon's volume and the densities of helium and air. Some participants question the constants used in their calculations and seek clarification on potential errors in their reasoning.

Discussion Status

Multiple participants are engaged in recalculating their results and comparing values. There is an acknowledgment of differing constants, and one participant identifies a mistake in their approach, indicating a productive direction in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific values for the densities of helium and air, and there is mention of a discrepancy between their calculations and those found in a reference book. The balloon's mass and dimensions are also specified, which may influence the calculations.

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Homework Statement


A 0.900 g balloon is filled with helium gas until it becomes a 25.0 cm-diameter sphere.
What maximum mass can be tied to the balloon (with a massless string) without the balloon sinking to the floor?

Homework Equations



Fb=VSphere*Pair*Gravity
Fg=Vsphere*Phelium*Gravity

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to set them equal to each other (so that the net force is 0) and found that...

Vsphere(Phelium-Pair)*9.8-0.0009kg*9.8(mass of ballon)=Mass attachable/9.8

I got 7.5g but that's wrong. Anyone know where I messed up my process?
 
Last edited:
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Still looking for some help. I've run the calculation several times and keep get 7.45g...
 
I still get 7.45g...weird.

My balloon circumference is 25 cm. The balloon weighs 0.9g. Pair=1.2, PHelium=0.1785

Therefor my radius is 0.125m and my balloon mass is 0.0009kg.

4/3pi(0.125)^3*1.2=Mass+0.0009kg+4/3pi(0.125)^3*0.1785

Mass=0.007457kg=7.5g...

Anyone see where I'm messing up.
 
I was right...I just had different constants than the book...

Dumb mistake.
 

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