Problem 20.6: Balloon expanding as it rises in a liquid

Please wait for the animation to completely load.

A large balloon filled with an ideal gas is initially held at the bottom of a tank full of a liquid. It is released and floats to the top as shown in the animation. If you click on the graph, you can see the x and y positions of the cursor (position is given in meters). The top of the liquid (indicated by the blue line) is open to air at atmospheric pressure. Restart.

Find the density of the liquid (the liquid is at a constant temperature).

Note: You will need to recall what you learned about fluids (and the change in pressure as a function of depth in a fluid).

Problem authored by Anne J. Cox.


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