A tank when it is loaded with helium or the same tank when it is empty?
2006-07-22 02:47:20 · 17 answers · asked by one_observation 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Depends on what you mean by "empty"...
If "empty" means filled with air, then (since Helium is LIGHTER than air) the tank with helium is LIGHTER.
On the other hand, if the "empty" is a VACUUM (i.e. TRULY empty), then the tank filled with helium is heavier (since helium is heavier than "nothing")
Helium is lighter than AIR but heavier than a vacuum!
2006-07-22 02:55:15 · answer #1 · answered by N2FC 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If by empty you mean the helium is replaced by air, then the tank will be heavier when it is empty, if and only if, the mass of helium in the tank is equal to the mass of air that will replace it and both the situations are being observed under the same gravitational conditions. (Remember, mass and weight are not the same things).
However, if by empty you mean near perfect vacuum, then the tank will be heavier when filled with helium of any mass in any kind of gravitational situation.
2006-07-22 09:54:16 · answer #2 · answered by zaki_ansari 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That depends. When you say empty...do you mean a vacuum or just filled with the mixture of gases naturally occuring in the air. It also depends on the volume of helium compressed into the tank. And one final point...are you asking for the mass of JUST the tank (which would remain the same in both scenarios) or the mass of the tank with the mass of the gas inside?
2006-07-22 09:54:29 · answer #3 · answered by embem171 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think yr point of contention is Empty tank has Air in it so it should be heavier. It depends on what pressure Air is available in Empty Tank and what pressure helium is stored in Tank.
2006-07-22 09:51:51 · answer #4 · answered by Abhi 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is one atmosphere pressure the tank will weigh less. It will probably weigh just a little less and it would not be noticeable. If it was at several atmosphere pressure it would weigh more. The reason is as follows;
What causes buoyancy is that the contents inside weighs less than the exact same volume of air that immediately surrounds it. In this case the tank probably weighs several dozen times than the immediate pressure.
However, if several atmospheres pressure of helium is in the tank, then the weight of what is in the tank would be more than the same volume of air immediately surrounding the tank.
2006-07-22 09:57:46 · answer #5 · answered by eric l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say lighter with the helium, but good luck finding a scale that sensitive which will also be able to withstand the weight of a tank.
Did you mean an American tank or a German tank?
2006-07-22 09:52:28 · answer #6 · answered by Hielodrive 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My understanding is that hellium is a gas used in balloons because it rises. Because of the mass of a tank, even if you sealed off all cracks in the tank and filled it, the weight of the tank would prevent it from making the tank rise obviously. The gas would be in the top part of the tank. I think the empty tank and the full of hellium tank would be much of a muchness as in the same weight.
My partners saying The tank when its empty!
Cheers
2006-07-22 09:51:41 · answer #7 · answered by >>>LADY<<< 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tank full of helium. The helium is compressed and has weight.
2006-07-22 09:52:00 · answer #8 · answered by Bill 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tank with Helium will be heavier... only with slight difference... coz helium has mass...
2006-07-22 09:51:46 · answer #9 · answered by Demolisher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the tank itself will not change, but the tank filled with helium will seem lighter because helium weighs less than air. and air doesnt weigh much:-)
2006-07-22 09:53:04 · answer #10 · answered by twonkomadness 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋