Lift Capacity of a Helium Balloon

by Enkai Cao

 

Submitted : Fall 2011

I am given a 3 dimensional image of the balloon is obtained by rotating the function R(z) around the Z axis. I am also given a data file that contains the numerical relationship between R(z) and Z. My goal is to calculate the maximum payload mass in kg, and the payload mass is related to other quantities by Archimedes principle as follow: payload mass+mass of balloon material=mass of air displaced-mass of helium. However, I can not get continuous function from the graphic but I have to calculate the volume and surface area of helium balloon. I use Trapezoidal Method and Excel to get formulas and sum of volume and surface area.

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	Advisors :
	Arcadii Grinshpan, Mathematics and Statistics
	Jonathan Burns, Mathematics and Statistics
	Scott Campbell, Chemical & Biomedical Engineering
	Suggested By :
	Scott Campbell