Question

An arctic weather balloon is filled with 20.9L of helium gas inside a prep shed. The temperature inside the shed is 13 degree C. The balloon is then taken outside, where the temperature is -9. Degree C. Calculate the new volume of the balloon. You may assume the pressure on the balloon stays constant at exactly 1atm. Be sure your answer has the correct number of significant digits.

Answer 1

Answer:

19.3 L

Explanation:

Initially, Helium gas occupies a volume V₁ = 20.9 L at a temperature T₁ = 13°C = 286 K. Then, it occupies a volume V₂ at a temperature T₂ = -9°C = 264 K. We can find the new volume using Charles' law (assuming constant pressure and ideal gas behavior).

$\frac{V_{1}}{T_{1}} =\frac{V_{2}}{T_{2}} \\\frac{20.9L}{286K} =\frac{V_{2}}{264 K} \\V_{2} = 19.3L$