If the temperature of this balloon were to decrease suddenly, how would the balloon change? A. Its mass would increase. B. Its mass would decrease. C. Its volume would increase. D. Its volume would decrease
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: D. Its volume would decrease.
When the temperature of a gas inside a balloon decreases, its volume also decreases. This relationship is explained by Charles’s Law, one of the fundamental gas laws in physics and chemistry. Charles’s Law states that, for a given amount of gas at constant pressure, the volume of the gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature (measured in Kelvin). Mathematically, this is represented as:V∝TorV1T1=V2T2V \propto T \quad \text{or} \quad \frac{V_1}{T_1} = \frac{V_2}{T_2}V∝TorT1V1=T2V2
Where:
- VVV is volume,
- TTT is temperature (in Kelvin),
- V1V_1V1 and T1T_1T1 are the initial volume and temperature,
- V2V_2V2 and T2T_2T2 are the final volume and temperature.
So, if the temperature decreases, the kinetic energy of the gas molecules also decreases. The molecules move more slowly and collide with the walls of the balloon less forcefully. As a result, the balloon contracts, and its volume decreases. The balloon appears smaller and less inflated.
It is important to note that this change happens without altering the mass of the gas inside the balloon. The amount of gas (the number of molecules) stays the same unless there’s a leak, which the question doesn’t suggest. Thus, options A and B (regarding mass changes) are incorrect.
Option C (volume increasing) contradicts Charles’s Law because volume increases only when temperature increases, not when it decreases.
In summary, a sudden drop in temperature causes gas particles to slow down and exert less pressure on the balloon’s walls, leading to a reduction in volume while mass remains unchanged. Hence, Option D is the correct and scientifically accurate answer.
