Science question

[Fether]

Do vacuums float?

A balloon of air floats in water because it’s contents are less dense than its surroundings. Helium balloons float up because it too is less dense than the air around it.

If you were able to get a balloon, have it maintain its round and full shape, but turn the interior into a vacuum, would it float into space?

Edited March 8, 2022 by Fether

[mikbone]

 

[MrShorty]

I don't expect it would float into space, but it would float up until the overall density of the object was the same as the atmosphere at that level. Most solid containers that are strong enough to hold their shape against one atmosphere pressure are going to be more dense than air, I doubt you would be able to effectively get a vacuum to float, but it would be theoretically possible if you could build a container from a very lightweight material that was also strong enough to hold its shape against the pressure.