why do balloons float in air?

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Esther Anderson · Accepted Answer

There are three reasons:1; The balloons could be filled with a gas lighter than air; such as helium or hydrogen; as several answerers have noted2. The balloons could contain hot air (the most frequent method of floating recreational people-carrying balloons). Hot air expands, and is therefore ligfhter than the surrounding air3. The balloons might be filled with ordinary air (such as that you breathe to fill small balloons). The air within the balloons will be the same density as the surrounding air; but the weight of the balloon material makes the whole thing slowly sink in still air. However, it is not all that much more dense than air; and slight air currents (such as you blowing from beneath) might keep the balloon aloft for a while. This is more readily seen with soap bubbles, which are also more dense that air; but only very slightly so; and float around in the merest breeze.

Esther Anderson · Answer

Balloons Float

Esther Anderson · Answer

It is clear why balloons float in water (the displaced water weighs exactly as much as the balloon filled with gas). A balloon floats in air because the displaced air weighs more than the weight of the balloon (rubber) plus the light gas (helium) inside. The earth’s gravity attracts all protons and neutrons equally (whether in concentrated of rarefied forms (lead vs aluminum vs gas, etc.). If you place equal volumes of lead, aluminum or gas opposite each other on a balance (teeter-totter?) the lighter material will rise.

Esther Anderson · Answer

Balloons that float upwards usually contain Helium, a gas which is lighter than air, causing the balloon to float.

Esther Anderson · Answer

Any balloon will float, even a lead balloon (Myth Busters) if: a. the gas inside (helium, hot air, etc) is less dense that the outside airb. there is enough volume to contain enough gas and overcome the weight of the balloon and payload

Esther Anderson · Answer

because there is helium inside the balloon and the gas in the underside push it in the air and when it is high it will still float because of gas in the air and up of the balloon has more mass more than a yarn in the underside

Esther Anderson · Answer

well, a regular balloon, when filled up with someones breath, is a relatively low temperature compared to a hot air balloon. Hot air balloons also operate at higher altitudes (and temperatures), where the air is thinner and cooler. As you know, heat rises, and pushes on the top of the balloon’s fabric, pulling the basket up.

Esther Anderson · Answer

Some balloons are filled with Helium, or He. He is less dense and is lighter than air. Some balloons though are filled with air from the atmosphere or oxygen, which is quite as dense as atmospheric air.Hope that helped. =)(=

Esther Anderson · Answer

Due to helium gas ballons float in air.

Esther Anderson · Answer

Because the gas used to fill them is lighter than the air around them.

Dr. Kole Osinski V

why do balloons float in air?

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