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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.

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13y ago
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6y ago

Helium is less dense than air, so it tries to float on top of air, thus rising.

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10y ago

Yes, helium is less dense than the air.

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Q: A helium balloon rises in the air because it is less dense than oxygen?
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Why does a helium filled balloon rise in relation to its density?

I'm not sure I understand the question but here goes: Helium is lighter [less dense] than air, so a helium filled balloon rises because it floats up on the more dense air.


Why does a helium balloon go up?

A helium balloon floats because helium gas is lighter than air. By filling a balloon with helium, the balloon also becomes lighter than air. The helium balloon floats for the same reason that objects float on water: objects less dense than water are pushed up by buoyant forces equal to the weight of water displaced by that object. What happens in water also happens in air, and the helium balloon is pushed upwards by a force equal to the weight of air it displaces.


Gas that is less dense than air?

Helium is a gas that is less dense than air. This is why a balloon filled with helium rises when released.


Put the gases in order from least to most dense Oxygen carbon dioxide helium?

Helium, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide (least to most dense)


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.

Related questions

What floats on air?

helium balloon because helium is less dense than air


Why does an air balloon float?

If you mean hot air balloon then it floats because hot air rises because it is less dense and with enough hot air caught in the balloon it can lift create enough lift to take off into the air. If you mean a helium balloon then it rises because helium in the balloon is less dense then the air around it. Since less dense things rise to the top the balloon will float.


What makes the balloon rises?

Helium gas in the balloon causes it to rise as it is much less dense than the surrounding air which has heavier molecules such as Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, etc.


What does the burner do to the density of the air in a hot air balloon?

The intense heat of the burner alters the atomic nucleus of the oxygen atom into a synthetic helium atom causing the balloon to rise. The helium atom is less dense than the original oxygen atom.


Why does a helium filled balloon rise in relation to its density?

I'm not sure I understand the question but here goes: Helium is lighter [less dense] than air, so a helium filled balloon rises because it floats up on the more dense air.


Are helium balloons more dense than air baloons?

No. At the same pressure, a helium filled balloon will be less dense than an air-filled balloon.


How does a balloon rise against gravity?

A balloon is filled with helium, which is less dense than the air around us. Because of this, it is able to float. But, over time, the helium leaves the balloon making it fall again.


Why a balloon filled with helium floats in air?

Helium is less dense than air


Why does a helium balloon go up?

A helium balloon floats because helium gas is lighter than air. By filling a balloon with helium, the balloon also becomes lighter than air. The helium balloon floats for the same reason that objects float on water: objects less dense than water are pushed up by buoyant forces equal to the weight of water displaced by that object. What happens in water also happens in air, and the helium balloon is pushed upwards by a force equal to the weight of air it displaces.


Why does a balloon filled with helium rise with a balloon filled with an equal volume of average atmospheric air does not?

Helium is less dense than air, which is why the helium-filled balloon floats when you let it go.


Why do you use helium in balloons?

Helium is less dense than air, and therefore the balloon will float.


Gas that is less dense than air?

Helium is a gas that is less dense than air. This is why a balloon filled with helium rises when released.