Question

A balloon is filled to a volume of 1.6 L at 278 K. The balloon is left outside overnight and the temperature has dropped to 253 K. What is the new volume?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Charles' law gives the relationship between the volume and the temperature of the gas. Mathematically,

Volume ∝ Temperature

i.e. $\dfrac{V_1}{V_2}=\dfrac{T_1}{T_2}$

We have, V₁ = 1.6 L, T₁ = 278 K, T₂ = 253, V₂=?

$V_2=\dfrac{V_1T_2}{T_1}\\\\V_2=\dfrac{1.6\times 253}{278}\\\\V_2=1.45\ L$

So, the new volume is 1.45 L.