Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2013 / ia / Paper 4 / 3B / Solution

Use zero-relative-velocity mass shedding: the released sand initially shares the balloon's vertical velocity, rather than being actively ejected. Let $q=M+m(t)$ and let a positive mass $\delta m$ be shed in a short interval $dt$. The momentum of the balloon and that newly released sand changes byThe leading external impulse is $(T-qg)dt$. Newton's second law applied to this combined material system therefore givesWriting $\frac{d}{dt}(qv)=T-qg$ for the remaining balloon alone would omit the outgoing momentum flux. A nonzero relative ejection velocity would instead produce a rocket equation thrust term.

Initial mechanical equilibrium gives $T=(M+m_0)g$. Write $\lambda =m_0/t_0$, so $m=m_0-\lambda t$ up to depletion. ThenIntegrating from rest,Since $A/t_0=1+M/m_0$ and $A/(A-t_0)=1+m_0/M$, the final upward speed isThe acceleration is nonnegative throughout release, consistent with the upward motion.