2007-01-05 04:13:46 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Helium weighs 0.1785 grams per liter. Nitrogen, which makes up 80% of the air we breathe, weighs 1.2506 grams per liter.
Basically, if you were to fill a soda bottle with helium and another with air, the one filled with helium would weigh a gram less than the bottle with air. It doesn't sound like a lot, but that's usually why blimps and balloons are usually really big, the one-gram difference really adds up in large volumes. Helium balloons follow the same principle as you do when you float in the water; the law of buoyancy. If the water you displace weighs more than you do, you will float.
Helium isn't the lightest element, hydrogen, weighing a mere 0.08988 grams per liter, is.
Wondering why we don't use that instead of helium?
Well, hydrogen balloons used to be really popular, but it is extremely flammable. The slightest spark will set off a huge explosion. The Hindenburg catastrophe was a direct result of that.
Take the link below for more information:
2007-01-05 04:23:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hydrogen (& Helium) are lighter than air. Although I never heard of filling a balloon with hydrogen, since it's flammable. (The Hindenberg was filled with hydrogen)
2007-01-05 12:22:53 · answer #2 · answered by Harry_Cox 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its floates in the air because hydrogen is the lightest substance in the whole universe as it contain only 1proton and no neutron(except its isotopes)..this properties make hydrogen to float in air
2007-01-05 14:56:37 · answer #3 · answered by aman_atal_007 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hydrogen is the lightest gas,since it's molecular weight is low compared to other gases.Thus the gravity on hydrogen filled balloon is less and hence it easily floats up.
2007-01-06 15:08:50 · answer #4 · answered by ak p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because it is lighter air (which constitutes nitrogen 80% which is heavier than hydrogen) Hydrogen is lighter than air, lighter than water & it was supposed to be the lightest gas till helium was found.
2007-01-06 06:38:50 · answer #5 · answered by vinu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hydrogen is less dense than air, and anything that has a density less than air floats. Same with water. That's why bubbles always float to the surface [they're air molecules that are less dense than the water around them.]
2007-01-05 12:26:35 · answer #6 · answered by afskjdsgflhf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Hydrogen is lighter than air, lighter than water & it was supposed to be the lightest gas till helium was found.
It does not support burning but burns itself. Opposite to Oxygen.
I t was supposed that there is hydrogen and helium around the sun.
Have you heard of hydrogen bomb? disastrous element!
2007-01-05 12:47:10 · answer #7 · answered by Maliha S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never had a hydrogen balloon.
2007-01-05 12:21:32 · answer #8 · answered by FlyChicc420 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hydrogen having molecular formula H2 is the lightest gas present in the gases that are present in the atmosphere......so, when a gas is less in weight it tends to go upwards rather than to stay like oxygen in the atmosphere as it is light the ballon goes up & up.........
2007-01-05 12:20:59 · answer #9 · answered by santhosh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hydrogen is LIGHTER than air.
2007-01-05 12:51:38 · answer #10 · answered by AVANISH JI 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋