Question

The severity of a tropical storm is related to the depressed atmospheric pressure at its center. In August 1985, Typhoon Odessa in the Pacific Ocean featured maximum winds of about 90 mi/hr and pressure that was 40.0 mbar lower at the center than normal atmospheric pressure. In contrast, the central pressure of Hurricane Andrew (pictured) was 90.0 mbar lower than its surroundings when it hit south Florida with winds as high as 165 mi/hr. If a small weather balloon with a volume of 4.0 L at a pressure of 1.00 atmospheres was deployed at the edge of Typhoon odessa what was the volume of the balloon when it reached the center?

Answer 1

Answer:

4.16 L

Explanation:

Assuming constant temperature,

At the edge of Typhoon Odessa: P₁ = 1 atm = 1013.3 mbar,

V₁  = 4.0 L

At the center of Typhoon Odessa: P₂ = (1013.3 - 40.0) mbar = 973.3 mbar

V₂ = ? L

For a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature (Boyle's law) : P₁V₁ = P₂V₂

V₂ = V₁ × (P₁/P₂)

V₂= (4.0) × (1013.3/973.3)

V₂= 4.16 L