What Causes a Balloon to Expand in Space?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of a balloon when transported to space, specifically addressing the expansion of the balloon due to changes in air pressure. When the system is on Earth, the internal and external air pressures are equal, preventing the balloon from expanding. However, once in space, the external air pressure decreases significantly, leading to an increase in the volume of the balloon as the internal pressure exceeds the external pressure. This phenomenon is primarily influenced by the absence of atmospheric pressure in space.

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Misr
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[PLAIN]http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7651/unled1234.jpg

we suspend this ball in the tank by using a string ,then filling the tank with water as shown..
thus we have,
Fb=Ft+Fg(I guess so)

what happens when this tank with its contents is transported to the space

The volume of the balloon increases so why?
 
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Presumably, you mean "transported to orbit or beyond". What is different for the tank and balloon (and everything else) when not on Earth?
 
What is different for the tank and balloon (and everything else) when not on Earth?
the acceleration due to gravity.

could you tell me why the volume of the ballom increases on going to space?what is the effect of acceleration due to gravity on the volume of the ballon?
 
Misr said:
the acceleration due to gravity.

could you tell me why the volume of the ballom increases on going to space?what is the effect of acceleration due to gravity on the volume of the ballon?

You have stated, correctly, that the balloon would expand if the system is taken to space. What is it that keeps the balloon from expanding when the system is on the ground?
 
the air pressure is equal inside the balloon and outside the balloon correct?
 
Misr said:
the air pressure is equal inside the balloon and outside the balloon correct?

Yep. So what happens to the air pressure then you take the system out of the atmosphere?
 
Yep. So what happens to the air pressure then you take the system out of the atmosphere?
the air pressure inside the balloon becomes less,correct?
 
Misr said:
the air pressure inside the balloon becomes less,correct?

yes, but why? What happens to the balloon?
 
Wouldn't the pressure inside the balloon stay constant assuming no leakage?
 
  • #10
JHamm said:
Wouldn't the pressure inside the balloon stay constant assuming no leakage?

What HAPPENS to the balloon? Does it shrink? Get bigger? Stay the same?
 
  • #11
Ah, sorry :)
 

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