Helium balloons float because helium is lighter than air

Helium is even lighter than air. A liter (about a quart) of air weighs about 1.25 grams (much less than an ounce) - that's not very much. But a liter of helium weighs even less - only 0.18 grams (a tiny fraction of an ounce). A balloon that's 1 foot (30 centimeters) in diameter holds about half a cubic foot of helium, which is the same as 14 liters. This means the balloon will weigh about half an ounce (14 grams) less than the same sized balloon filled with air. So buoyancy goes to work and the balloon floats upward.

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69 Comments

Shelley Welch Dunivan

I think they're just fun, take the pressure off, just gimmie little guestions. Although I do find it entertaining there is a lot of bickering in this game.

Chris Lee

I just wonder: did the 4,147 people who didn't think the reason for the balloon's ability to float had to do with helium being lighter than air, prayed it up, cast a spell, wished for, or paid the balloon to float?

Rachelle Wysong

Let's eliminate T/F questions. The correct responce is true over 95% of the time

Terry Meier

helium says mean things and makes air feel inadequate.

Armadillo

Anthony Griffin, yep.

Armadillo

Ian MacBrown, toxic for our environment.

Armadillo

Chris Lee, all three depending on when asked.

Armadillo

Shelley Welch Dunivan, I apologize to everyone if I have been that way today. I'm grumpy I know but I want to relax and enjoy my quiz.

Albert

The curse of true has struck again.

wandajaneburlinson

Anyone who has a child knows this.

Player

Helium is a finite resource in the atmosphere and takes a very long time to replenish. That's before you look at the damage rubber balloons do to nature.