What is the maximum mass of cargo that the balloon can lift?

• A. 1,800 kg
• B. 1,000 kg
• C. 1,500 kg
• D. 1,200 kg

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the forces acting on the balloon: the buoyant force, the gravitational force on the balloon, and the gravitational force on the cargo.
2. Use the principle of buoyancy, which states that the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. For a balloon, this is the weight of the air displaced by the balloon.
3. Calculate the buoyant force using the formula: $F$_buoyant = ρ_air V_balloon g, where $\rho$_air is the density of air, $V$_balloon is the volume of the balloon, and $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity.
4. Determine the total weight that the balloon can lift, which is the difference between the buoyant force and the weight of the balloon itself: $W$_lift = F_buoyant - W_balloon.
5. Calculate the maximum mass of cargo that can be lifted by dividing the lift weight by the acceleration due to gravity: $m$_cargo = W_lift / g.