Chapter 20, Problem 42A

To determine

To identify: Whether a helium-filled balloon rise in a huge, lazily rotating space habitat, carrying its atmosphere.

Answer to Problem 42A

Yes, it would.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

To float, surrounding air pressure is required.

If space habitat has its atmosphere where the air is stable then, a balloon with helium gas-filled will float. Now, to rise in such an atmosphere, it is required that surrounding pressure must change with altitude. Due to buoyant force, a helium-filled balloon will rise if surrounding pressure is decreasing with increasing altitude inside the space habitat.

Conclusion:

Thus, a helium-filled balloon will rise and float inside the space habitat with the atmosphere within.