Question: A balloon is in equilibrium in air while carrying a payload of mass $10m$. The mass of the balloon and the lifting gas is negligible compared with the payload. A small amount of gas is released from the balloon so that its volume decreases, while the density of the surrounding air remains constant. The payload is then reduced by releasing a mass $m$. What percentage decrease in the balloon's volume is required to maintain equilibrium after the payload is reduced? Solution Initially, the balloon is in equilibrium. Because the mass of the balloon and lifting gas is negligible, the buoyant force $B$ balances the weight of the initial payload:$$B = 10mg \quad \text{--- (1)}$$ When a mass $m$ is released from the payload, the remaining payload mass is $10m - m = 9m$. For the balloon to remain in equilibrium, the new buoyant force $B'$ must balance the weight of the remaining payload:$$B' = 9mg \quad \text{--- (2)}$$ Since the density of the surrounding air ($\rho$) rem...
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