Question

A weather balloon is inflated with 0.80 m3 of helium (He) at ground level (pressure is 1.0 atm). The balloon is released and rises into the air. What is the atmospheric pressure when the gas in the balloon expands to a volume of 3.32 m3?

Answer 1

Answer: 0.24 atm

Explanation:

To calculate the new pressure, we use the equation given by Boyle's law. This law states that pressure is directly proportional to the volume of the gas at constant temperature.  

The equation given by this law is:

$P_1V_1=P_2V_2$

where,

$P_1$ = initial pressure of gas = 1.0 atm

$V_1$ =  initial volume of gas = $0.80 m^3$

$P_2$ = final pressure of gas= ?

$V_2$ = final volume of gas = $3.32m^3$

Putting values in above equation, we get:

$1.0\times 0.80m^3=P_2\times 3.32m^3$

$P_2=0.24atm$

Thus the atmospheric pressure of the gas is 0.24 atm