Why is a balloon heavier when it is blown up with air?

Answer 1

This depends on whether you consider what is inside the balloon to be a part of the balloon, since the weight of the balloon skin will remain the same regardless of what is inside it. If, however, you consider the contents of the balloon to constitute a part of the balloon's mass then it will always be heavier when inflated, regardless of the density of the substance with which it is inflated. However, in this case the density of the balloon will fall when inflated if the contents are less dense than the material of the balloon, which is highly likely since the substance would probably be a gas. Therefore the balloon would be heavier but less dense.

Answer 2

The balloon ingredients (plastic) weigh the same whether it is empty or filled with air. If you fill the balloon with a gas that is more dense than ordinary air, then that filled balloon will weigh more than the same balloon empty. On earth's surface, the ordinary air in a filled balloon does have slightly more pressure than the outside air, and probably the pressure difference is negligible. Using ordinary methods it's not likely that you will detect any difference in weight. But assuming that the difference is not negligible, then the air inside the balloon will be slightly more dense than the outside air. Under extremely well controlled conditions and with very accurate equipment, you might find that the air-filled balloon will weigh slightly more.

Answer 3

Because the balloon acquired air

Answer:
A balloon inflated with hydrogen or helium will show lesser weight on a scale than it does when empty or filled with air. This is because these gases have less density than an equivalent volume of air.
The mass of the gas/balloon system is higher in all cases, but this is difficult to demonstrate if the measurement used is weight.

Answer 4

No !! because Although a balloon filled with helium is lighter than the air around it and a deflated balloon is heavier than the air, the mass (= total matter) of a ballon withhelium is greater than only of an empty balloon (missing the mass of Helium):

It is the average DENSITY (= small mass / volume) relative to air density (with greater mass in the same volume) that makes a helium balloon rise in air.

Keep in mind that an EMPTY balloon does not go UP in air because it is so small (being empty).

Answer 5

because it is filled with air, and that air has weight.

when you have a deflated balloon and you sit it on the scales, the scales read the weight of the balloon. (the scales are set to be at 0, with 0 being the weight of the atmosphere pushing down on it.) however once inflated the balloon contains the same mass it did while deflated, plus the air inside, which is compressed due to the elastisity of the balloon.

if there was no elasticity in the balloon to compress the air, thereby putting more air in that space than would usually fit, it would weigh the same. its easy to see by using a paper bag as your balloon. flat it represents the deflated balloon, opened up and full of air, the inflated balloon, but since there is no compression it weighs the same,

likewise, a the pressurised tank for your BBQ will be a lot heavier when full of gas, under even more compression it is the next extreme, so much gas compressed it becomes a liquid. but the same principle non the less

Answer 6

Yes.

The weight of air is added to the weight of the balloon and so when it is inflated the weight is more.

Helium balloons float even though their weight is more than an empty balloon because their Density(mass/volume)is less than that of air and the empty balloon

Answer 7

A balloon is heavier when blown up with air because the air adds mass to the balloon. The air molecules have weight, contributing to the overall weight of the balloon-air system.

Answer 8

It depends on what you inflate it with and how big the balloon is. There is no real answer for that.

Answer 9

Air has mass therefore the balloon is heavier with air

Answer 10

Helium may be a gas ,but it still has weight.