In a room with a view to the sky, Thandiwe and Jun-seo are watching balloons filled with helium float upward and press against the ceiling. Thandiwe wonders what would happen if they went outside. Assuming there are no other objects or structures above them when they step outside, what would Thandiwe see happening to the balloons if she let them go, and why? Provide a very brief response.
When Thandiwe steps outside and releases the helium balloons, she will see them rise into the sky rather than press against a surface. This happens because helium is lighter than air, causing the balloons to float upwards due to buoyancy. The upward force from the buoyancy exceeds the downward pull of gravity on the light balloons, allowing them to ascend until the external pressure decreases to the point that the helium density equals the surrounding air or the balloon material fails.