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Why Does a Helium-Filled Balloon "Rise"?
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Abstract
The article is a lighthearted, conversational exploration of the microscopic basis for Archimedes’principle. The principle is discussed in terms of molecular collisions and density gradients in a gravitational field.
Keywords (Audience):
High School / Introductory ChemistryKeywords (Domain):
DemonstrationsKeywords (Pedagogy):
Humor / Puzzles / GamesKeywords (Subject):
Atmospheric ChemistryCiting Articles
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This article has been cited by 2 ACS Journal articles (2 most recent appear below).

Balloon—Toy of Many Colors
Kathryn R. WilliamsJournal of Chemical Education2005 82 (10), 1448Balloon—Toy of Many Colors
Kathryn R. WilliamsJournal of Chemical Education2005 82 (10), 1448Balloons are widely used in chemistry, in both classroom and laboratory scenarios. Balloon-related articles in JCE describe gas law experiments and demonstrations, large-scale molecular models, demonstrations of reaction rates and stoichiometry, hydrogen-...

On the Buoyancy of a Helium-Filled Balloon
John E. HarrimanJournal of Chemical Education2005 82 (2), 246On the Buoyancy of a Helium-Filled Balloon
John E. HarrimanJournal of Chemical Education2005 82 (2), 246It is shown by expansion of the exponential in the barometric formula that the forces due to pressure acting on a balloon are of the form (PV/RT)Mg and that results agree with those suggested by Archimedes principle. Einstein's equivalence principal ...
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History
- Received: August 03, 2009
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