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Helium is a very light compound. Air consists out of 21 % oxygen gas, 78% nitrogen gas and 1% other gases (such as argon and other noble gases) in general. As we know, wood floats on water because it is lighter per volume. For helium, the same rule counts. Helium is lighter than oxygen and nitrogen.

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Q: Why does the helium balloon rise while the ordinary air failed?
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Why do balloons decrease in size after a while?

Why does a balloon go down after a few days?A balloon goes down after a few days because the helium can pass through the skin of a balloon which then reduces the size of the balloon and the balloon then slowly reaches the floor after loosing all its helium.If you need any more help visit www.wikipidia.comThey loose air somehow.


Why is helium used to fill balloons instead of oxygen or hydrogen?

Helium will not burn. Hydrogen burns in air to form H2O (water) Thus in circumstances where a lite gas is required (e.g. in a balloon) it is safer to use Helium. see http://www.unmuseum.org/hindenburg.htm


Why does helium float?

Helium molecules are lighter than most air molecules in the atmosphere (mostly nitrogen and oxygen) therefore they are prone to rise while heavier molecules move downward.


Why does a helium filled balloon float up when it is released?

The gas helium is less dense than the nitrogen-oxygen mix of atmospheric air. So a balloon filled to the same pressure (or even higher) will have a lower density than the air around it, which will displace it (flow under it), forcing it upward. The balloon will rise until the combined weight of the helium and the balloon are the same average weight (density) as the surrounding air. Long before it reaches that altitude, a normal balloon will begin to expand and will usually pop (at an altitude of a few hundred to a few thousand feet).Helium molecules are lighter than most air molecules in the atmosphere (mostly nitrogen and oxygen) therefore they are prone to rise while heavier molecules move downward.


A helium balloon rises in the air because it is less dense than oxygen?

The density of a gas depends on its molecular or atomic mass. Carbon dioxide has a molecular mass of about 44 AMU (Atomic Mass Units) while helium has a mass of about 4 AMU.

Related questions

Why does a helium balloon rise in air while ordinary balloon filled with air does not?

A helium balloon rises into the air because the density of the helium is lesser than the density of the air, therefore, the balloon rises, trying to reach above the air. Helium is lighter than air, or to be more precise, less dense. Helium gas weighs less than our atmospheric air so it floats. Same goes for hydrogen and a few other pure gases


Why does a helium balloon lower after a while?

That would happen after it loses a certain amount of helium.


Which gas inflates a balloon the longest carbon dioxide or helium and why?

Carbon dioxide will keep a balloon inflated longer than helium will, because its molecules are much larger and therefore less able to escape through the material of which the balloon is made.On the other hand, helium is much lighter so will give a balloon greater lift while it lasts.


Will the helium football be light then a aired football?

yes. think about balloons: a ballon with helium will float while a balloon with good ol' air will sink


Why do balloons decrease in size after a while?

Why does a balloon go down after a few days?A balloon goes down after a few days because the helium can pass through the skin of a balloon which then reduces the size of the balloon and the balloon then slowly reaches the floor after loosing all its helium.If you need any more help visit www.wikipidia.comThey loose air somehow.


How can you determine if a balloon is filled with helium gas or hydrogen gas?

Fill two balloons. One with hydrogen gas and the other with helium gas. Allow them to float on a piece of string. Taking a lighted/burning taper/splinter. , and burst the two balloons with the burning splinter. The helium filled balloon will just 'pop' and fall to the ground. The hydrogen filled balloon will 'pop with a flash of flame' So helium ; NO Flame Hydrogen ; A FLASH of FLAME.


What air is used to blow a balloon with the mouth?

Carbon dioxide, the air we have in us that we breath out. Carbon dioxide doesn't make the balloon float in the air, while Helium does.


Why a helium weather balloon expands as it rises in the air. assume that the temperature remain constant.?

When the helium balloon starts gaining height, the pressure decreases and as the gas molecules are very freely movable (higher than the normal). They move apart from each other in the mean while they make the balloon to expand. The decrease in atmospheric pressure relative to pressure inside the balloon causes it to expand.


Explain why a helium weather balloon expands as it rises in the air Assume that the temperature remains constant?

When the helium balloon starts gaining height, the pressure decreases and as the gas molecules are very freely movable (higher than the normal). They move apart from each other in the mean while they make the balloon to expand. The decrease in atmospheric pressure relative to pressure inside the balloon causes it to expand.


Why does cold air make helium balloons collapse when you take them outside?

Cold air molecules move slowly, while hot air molecules move quickly. That's why cold air contracts, weighs less, and go down, while warm air expands, gets lighter, and go up. The cold air inside a helium balloon would contract and make the balloon collapse. Otherwise, there would be a vacuum in the balloon.


How is the helium in the tank different from the helium in the balloon?

Helium balloons are usually mylar, a metal-coated plastic film while blow-up balloons are usually latex. Helium balloons are usually filled with helium of a decent purity, while blow-up balloons basically have the same gas mixture as the atmosphere around us. A little less oxygen and a little higher humidity if inflated by humans, exactly the same if inflated by a pump. Helium balloons will fly or float in the air, while blow-up balloons won't.


Why is helium used to fill balloons instead of oxygen or hydrogen?

Helium will not burn. Hydrogen burns in air to form H2O (water) Thus in circumstances where a lite gas is required (e.g. in a balloon) it is safer to use Helium. see http://www.unmuseum.org/hindenburg.htm