Question

Tamika inflates and ties off a balloon in her classroom and then takes it outside on a cold, winter day. Immediately, she notices that the balloon has gotten a little bit smaller. Why does this occur?
A) because there are fewer molecules in the balloon outside
B) because the air pressure is significantly higher when it is colder
C) because the molecules in the balloon have slowed down with the temperature
D) because the molecules shrink in size when exposed to the colder, outside air

Answer 1

Answer: Option (C) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

When the balloon was placed inside Tamika's classroom then the temperature was high as compared to the temperature outside the classroom.

As a result, gas molecules were in rapid motion but when balloon was placed outside the classroom then due to cold, there was decrease in temperature.

Therefore, the movement of gas molecules will slow down and the molecules will come slightly close to each other.

Hence, there will be shrinkage in the size of balloon.

Thus, we can conclude that the balloon has gotten a little bit smaller because the molecules in the balloon have slowed down with the temperature.

Answer 2

The balloon has gotten a little bit smaller C) because the molecules in the balloon have slowed down with the temperature.