A balloon with mass m is descending down with an acceleration a (where a < g). How much mass should be removed from it so that it starts moving up with an acceleration a?
- 2mag+a
- 2mag-a
- mag+a
- mag-a
Answer
(1) 2mag+a
Solution
Let U be the upward buoyant force (same in both cases).
Descending: mg - U = ma ⇒ U = m(g - a)
After removing mass m, moving up: U - (m - m)g = (m - m)a
⇒ U = (m - m)(g + a)
⇒ m(g - a) = (m - m)(g + a)
⇒ m = m - m(g - a)g + a
= 2mag + a
Answer: (1)