Helium Balloon Puzzle

April 12, 2023

Solve the Helium Balloon Puzzle

Solve the helium balloon puzzle.
A helium balloon is tied with a string to the floor of a car. The windows of the car are closed. When I start the car and accelerate, in which direction will the balloon go?

Backward? Forward? Or will it stay put?

balloon puzzle

Solution

  •  The Helium balloon will also move forward as the car accelerates.
  • When the car is stationary, the air inside the car is at rest wrt to its surrounding.
  • The Helium inside the Helium Balloon is also at rest wrt air
In which direction will the helium balloon fall?
  • When the car accelerates and moves forward, due to inertia it will push the air inside the car backward.
  • Since Helium is lighter than air, it pushes forward and hence the balloon will also move forward.
A Helium Balloon is tied with a string

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