Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 14 - Think and Explain - Page 279-281: 71

Answer

An object floats (i.e., rises in air) only if the buoyant force is greater than its weight. The buoyant force equals the weight of the displaced air. A steel tank filled with helium weighs more than the air it displaces, so it won’t rise. On the other hand, the helium in a light balloon weighs less than the air it displaces.
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