A weather balloon at sea level has an internal volume of 1.20 L when the atmospheric…
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Amount of substance · Amount of substance
Problem
A weather balloon at sea level has an internal volume of 1.20 L when the atmospheric pressure is 1.00 atm and the air temperature is 293 K. After launch, the balloon ascends to a high-altitude region where the external pressure is 0.600 atm and the air temperature is 265 K. Assume the number of gas molecules in the balloon remains constant and that the balloon expands or contracts until its internal pressure equals the surrounding atmospheric pressure at all times.
(a) Calculate the volume of the balloon at the high altitude conditions described.
(b) Determine the percentage change in volume of the balloon relative to its original volume at sea level.
(c) The material of the balloon can withstand a maximum 80 % increase in volume before rupturing. Based on your answer in part (b), predict whether the balloon will remain intact, and justify your prediction with numerical evidence.