We all know helium balloons float because they are "lighter than air" or the amount of air displaced weighs more than the object.
So IF you could get a rigid and structurally stable lightweight party balloon that would be "filled with nothing" so that it displaces the same volume as one filled with helium, would it float?
2006-08-26 03:56:50 · 16 answers · asked by CJP 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Yes of course it would float because the weight of air displaced would be greater than the weight of the structure.
The real problem is in making something that is strong enough to contain a vacuum and lighter than the volume of air that it displaces. Further, light weight materials are usually not gas proof. An interesting thing to note is the difference between an ordinary kid's balloon that you buy and helium balloons. Helium will diffuse through a standard balloon much faster than through a helium balloon. The structure that you are thinking of would have to be impermeable to all the gasses in the atmosphere, including helium. This with the structural strength is a bit of a tall order.
2006-08-26 04:14:35 · answer #1 · answered by Stewart H 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In a hypothetical world yes, in the real world no, you are saying your balloon has a hypothetical construction it can hold back the pressure of the atmosphere, this would defy the construction a real balloon because the real balloon would be crushed flat under the weight of the atmosphere, but your hypothetical balloon is not made of rubber but of some sort of "special" material that will hold back the weight of the atmosphere and it contains a near vacuum but not a complete vacuum, yes it will float off into space and head for the region where the pressure is equal, but there is no region that has a total vacuum, also it is not possible to make a total vacuum.
2006-08-26 04:32:17 · answer #2 · answered by treb67 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's an interesting thought-experiment. Since the balloon would contact a perfect vacuum, and if the structure of the balloon was also neglibible (zero weight), then yes, I'd say the balloon would float on helium.
2006-08-26 04:38:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, If the weight of the balloon is less than the weight of the air it displaces, it will float.
2006-08-26 04:07:48 · answer #4 · answered by Henry 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
filled with nothing - as in a vacuum/empty balloon or filled with air?
the helium counteracts the weight of the rubber that makes the balloon. when there's nothing in it, the gravity pulls the balloon and doesnt allow it to float in air. Filling the balloon with regular air makes it heavy, and so it still sinks to the ground.
hope this helps ya :)
2006-08-26 04:01:47 · answer #5 · answered by IspeakToRocks 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Of course. It just depends on the total displacement and total weight (and the fact that whatever it's floating on can't get inside).
Keep in mind you can't do this with a standard ballon because it would just deflate immediately. You need something rigid and quite strong.
2006-08-26 03:58:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only way the balloon would float would be if the sum of forces pushing it downwords(ie gravity) was weaker then the sum of forces pushing it upwards (atmospheric density)
2006-08-26 04:28:58 · answer #7 · answered by Jimmy J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would not be filling the balloon, you would be emptying it.
an empty balloon would weigh zero.
the balloon itself, being structuraly stable enough to keep the vacuum from collapsing itself inward I suppose would have some weight to it. This would fall to the ground, as the stuff inside,nothing, would do nothing to help it float.
2006-08-26 04:12:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i said no. balloon is filled with air so that its ave weight will be lighter than the deflated balloon and has the capacity to float the air.
2006-08-26 04:06:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
hi
well a balloon filled with air will float so Id say yes, xxxxx
2006-08-26 04:03:12 · answer #10 · answered by amber1234 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋