Answer to Question #107636 in Chemistry for logan

Question

A balloon containing helium gas has a volume of 38.8 L at a temperature of 25° C inside a house. If the balloon is moved outside, where the temperature is only -15° C, what would be the volume in L of the balloon?

Answer 1

V₁ = 38.8 L;

T₁ = 25°C = 298K;

V₂ = unknown;

T₂ = -15°C = 258 K.

Solution:

Let's apply Charles's law: the volume (V) of a given mass of a gas, at constant pressure (P), is directly proportional to its temperature (T).

As a mathematical equation, Charles's law is written as either:

V₁ / T₁ = V₂ / T₂

Then,

V₂ = (V₁*T₂) / T₁;

V₂ = (38.8 L * 258 K) / (298 K) = 33.59 L

V₂ = 33.59 L.

Answer: The volume of the balloon would be 33.59 L at -15°C.