Question

A spherically shaped balloon has a radius of 12.5 m, and is filled with helium. How much extra mass can a cargo lift, assuming that the skin and the cargo of the balloon have a mass of 850 kg? Neglect the buoyant force on the cargo volume itself.(The density of air is 1.29 kg/m3 and the density of helium is 0.179 kg/m3)

Answer 1

Radius of the Balloon = 12.5 m

the skin and the cargo of the balloon have a mass = 850 kg

Volume of balloon=
`(4)/(3)\pi r^3`

=
`(4)/(3)\ \pi* 12.5^3`

=8181.20 m³

Mass the ballon can carry= volume x [density of air-density of helium]

=8181.2 x [ 1.29 - 0.179 ]

=9089 kg

Mass of cargo = 9089 - 850

= 8239 kg