answersLogoWhite

0

Let's ignore the mass of the balloon itself and the string/rope/harness/whatever that connects it to the person. We're also going to ignore the compression of the balloon; we can assume it's mylar or something and the helium inside is at normal atmospheric pressure (if the balloon is compressing the helium, it will need to be bigger, since the density of the helium goes up as the pressure increases).

At around room temperature and ordinary pressures, helium has a density of about 0.164 kilograms per cubic meter. Under the same conditions, air has a density of a little under 1.2 kilograms per cubic meter. For a ballpark estimate, therefore, we can say that a balloon with a volume of 1 cubic meter will lift roughly 1 kilogram, which makes the calculation easy: to lift a 175 lb (80 kg) person, you need an 80 cubic meter balloon, which if spherical would have a radius of 2.67 meters or a little over 8 feet 9 inches.


A helium balloon 18 feet across should be sufficient to lift 175 pounds. Now you know why blimps are HUGE.


User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

How much can a helium balloon lift?

depends how big the helium balloon is and how many


How many grams of helium must be added to a balloon containing 8g helium?

To inflate a balloon to a desired size, we need to know the volume and required lift. Typically a 9-inch helium-filled balloon can lift about 8g of weight. If you want to increase the lift, you can add more helium.


How do you make a balloon lift without helium?

There are actually a number of ways to make a balloon lift, without helium. Hydrogen is even less dense than helium (but has the disadvantage of also being highly flammable). And since hot air is less dense than cooler air, you can lift a balloon just by heating air. Since hot air is less expensive than either helium or hydrogen, that is a popular technique.


How much helium is needed to lift 400 pounds?

To lift 400 pounds, you would need approximately 74.3 cubic feet of helium. Helium is lighter than air, so it provides lift when contained in a balloon.


How does a helium balloon float but not a balloon filled with air?

Helium is a lighter element compared to air, helium also has fewer molecules than air.


What gases lift a balloon into the air?

Anything less dense than air (hydrogen, helium, hot air).


Why do helium balloons float down?

Helium balloons float down due to the weight of the balloon being greater than the lift force generated by the helium inside. As the helium inside the balloon slowly leaks out over time, the lift force decreases, causing the balloon to float down.


How many helium balloons can lift up a brick?

depends on how large the balloon is! ;D


How many helium balloons does it take to lift a 20 pound frozen turkey?

It would take approximately 480 helium balloons to lift a 20-pound frozen turkey. Helium can lift about 0.04 lbs per balloon, so 20 lbs divided by 0.04 lbs per balloon equals 500 balloons.


Can you lift a book with a balloon?

Yes, a balloon may be able to lift a book depending on the size and weight of the book in relation to the lifting capability of the balloon. The balloon would need to be large enough and filled with enough helium to counteract the weight of the book.


Can helium lift 72 pounds into the air?

Yes, if you have enough helium in a balloon that is large enough and strong enough to stand the strains involved.


How do you make a balloon without a balloon?

There are actually a number of ways to make a balloon lift, without helium. Hydrogen is even less dense than helium (but has the disadvantage of also being highly flammable). And since hot air is less dense than cooler air, you can lift a balloon just by heating air. Since hot air is less expensive than either helium or hydrogen, that is a popular technique.