If you release a helium balloon, it soars upward and eventually pops. Explain this behavior

Short Answer

Expert verified
The behavior of a helium balloon rising and eventually popping can be explained by the buoyancy force and the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the balloon. The buoyancy force comes from the difference in density between the helium and air, causing the balloon to rise as it displaces air. As it rises, the atmospheric pressure decreases while the pressure inside the balloon increases, causing the helium to expand. Additionally, lower temperatures at higher altitudes weaken the balloon's material. Eventually, the stress on the weakened material due to the increased pressure difference and expanding helium becomes too great, causing the balloon to rupture and release the helium into the atmosphere.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the buoyancy force acting on a helium balloon

The buoyancy force is the reason why a helium balloon floats. This force is due to the difference in density between the gas within the balloon (helium) and the surrounding gas (air). Helium is lighter than air, so as per Archimedes' principle, the buoyancy force acting on a helium balloon is equal to the weight of the air displaced by the balloon. Since the weight of the helium within the balloon is less than the weight of the displaced air, the net force (buoyancy force - weight of the helium) acts in the upward direction, causing the balloon to rise.
02

Examine the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the balloon

The pressure inside the balloon is determined by the volume of the helium and the elasticity of the balloon's material. The pressure inside the balloon is usually greater than the atmospheric pressure outside the balloon. As the balloon rises, the atmospheric pressure decreases, causing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the balloon to increase. This increasing pressure difference causes the helium within the balloon to expand.
03

Consider the decreasing atmospheric pressure and temperature with altitude

As the helium balloon rises, it experiences a decrease in atmospheric pressure and temperature. The decrease in atmospheric pressure allows the helium within the balloon to expand. The lower temperature causes the material of the balloon to become more brittle and less elastic. This combination of the helium expansion and the weakened material leads to an increased likelihood of the balloon rupturing.
04

Understand the popping of the helium balloon

The helium balloon will continue to rise due to the buoyancy force, and the helium inside will continue to expand as the atmospheric pressure decreases. Eventually, the increased pressure difference between the inside and outside of the balloon causes too much stress on the weakened, cold material of the balloon, leading to its rupture. When the balloon pops, the helium inside quickly disperses into the atmosphere due to the pressure difference.

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