Density of a hot air balloon

Classical Mechanics Level 1

A hot air balloon flies in the air. The surrounding air applies a force on the balloon and pushes it against the gravity.

What can be said about the density of air inside and outside the balloon?

The outside air is denser than the inside air The density of air inside and outside the balloon is equal The inside air is denser than the outside air

Rohit Gupta by Rohit Gupta , 34, India

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1 solution

Ashutosh Sarkar
Jan 31, 2017

The density of gas inside has to be less to oppose the gravity .The gas has to be of lighter density it can either helium or hydrogen and the density of gas outside the balloon has to be of higher density

1 Helpful 0 Interesting 0 Brilliant 0 Confused

Not quite. We cannot use hydrogen and helium.

In fact, the air that is in hot air balloons, is the same air in the surroundings.

You're thinking of "air/gas balloons", instead of " hot air balloons".

Calvin Lin Staff - 4 years, 4 months ago

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Yes, I agree with Calvin. In hot air balloons, the density of the air inside the balloon is decreased by heating it. Due to rise in temperature, the air expands and escapes out of the balloon and its density decreases.

Now, when the surrounding air is denser, it is pulled down by the gravity more strongly than the balloon. Hence, the surrounding air pushes the balloon up and creates space for itself.

Rohit Gupta - 4 years, 4 months ago

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