Question

An arctic weather balloon is filled with 5.53L of helium gas inside a prep shed. The temperature inside the shed is 7.°C. The balloon is then taken outside, where the temperature is −2.°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. L

Answer 1

Answer: The new volume of the balloon is 4.99 L

Explanation:

To calculate the final volume of the system, we use the equation given by Charles' Law. This law states that volume of the gas is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas at constant pressure.

Mathematically,

$\frac{V_1}{T_1}=\frac{V_2}{T_2}$

where,

$V_1\text{ and }T_1$ are the initial volume and temperature of the gas.

$V_2\text{ and }T_2$ are the final volume and temperature of the gas.

We are given:

$V_1=5.53L\\T_1=7^oC=(7+273)K=300K\\V_2=?\\T_2=-2^oC=(-2+273)K=271K$

Putting values in above equation, we get:

$\frac{5.53}{300K}=\frac{V_2}{271}\\\\V_2=4.99L$

Thus new volume of the balloon is 4.99 L