Question

some pilots of hot - air balloons are getting ready to launch their balloons. each pilot lights the flame to heat the air in her balloon. then, the surrounding air applies a force to each balloon to lift it up.

each hot - air balloon has the same acceleration as it starts to rise. order the colors to show the size of the force applied to each balloon.

larger force

smaller force

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's second law

Newton's second law is \(F = ma\) (where \(F\) is force, \(m\) is mass, and \(a\) is acceleration). Since \(a\) is the same for all balloons, \(F\propto m\) (force is proportional to mass).

Step2: Compare the masses

The masses are: coral (\(m_{coral}=1500\) kg), cyan (\(m_{cyan} = 1800\) kg), violet (\(m_{violet}=1700\) kg), turquoise (\(m_{turquoise}=2000\) kg), magenta (\(m_{magenta}=2200\) kg).
As \(F\propto m\), the order of forces from smallest to largest is based on the order of masses from smallest to largest.

Answer:

coral, violet, cyan, turquoise, magenta