A helium filled balloon will float in air because

Options

A. There is more air than helium
B. Helium is as dense as air
C. Helium is less dense than air
D. Helium is more dense than air

Answer

To solve the question "A helium filled balloon will float in air because", we can break it down into a step-by-step explanation:

### Step 1: Understand the Concept of Density
Density is defined as mass per unit volume. It is a measure of how much matter is packed into a given space. The formula for density (ρ) is:
\[ \text{Density} (\rho) = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}} \]

### Step 2: Compare the Densities of Helium and Air
Helium is a gas that is lighter than air. The average density of air at sea level is approximately 1.225 kg/m³, while the density of helium is about 0.1786 kg/m³. Since helium has a lower density than air, it means that for the same volume, helium weighs less than the air.

### Step 3: Apply Archimedes' Principle
According to Archimedes' principle, an object will float in a fluid if it is less dense than the fluid. When a helium-filled balloon is placed in the air, the buoyant force acting on the balloon (which is equal to the weight of the air displaced by the balloon) is greater than the weight of the helium inside the balloon.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Since the density of helium is less than that of air, the helium-filled balloon will float in the air. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that a helium-filled balloon floats because helium gas is less dense than the air in the atmosphere.

### Final Answer
A helium filled balloon will float in air because helium gas is less dense than the air.

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