A balloon has a capacity of 20 m3 and its filled with hydrogen. The balloon fabric and container have a mass of 2.5 kg. What mass of instrument can be lifted by the balloon? (Density of hydrogen = 0.089 kg/m3 and density of air = 1.29 kg/m3)

Answer 1

First, we need to calculate the mass of the displaced air by the balloon:

Mass of displaced air = Density of air * Volume of balloon
Mass of displaced air = 1.29 kg/m3 * 20 m3
Mass of displaced air = 25.8 kg

Next, we need to calculate the mass of hydrogen in the balloon:

Mass of hydrogen = Density of hydrogen * Volume of balloon
Mass of hydrogen = 0.089 kg/m3 * 20 m3
Mass of hydrogen = 1.78 kg

The net lift force of the balloon is the different between the mass of displaced air and the mass of hydrogen:

Net lift force = Mass of displaced air - Mass of hydrogen
Net lift force = 25.8 kg - 1.78 kg
Net lift force = 24.02 kg

Therefore, the balloon can lift a mass of 24.02 kg, which would include the mass of instrument to be lifted.