How Does Temperature Affect a Balloon's Pressure at Different Altitudes?
What happens to the pressure inside a balloon when it is taken to a higher altitude where the temperature decreases?
1. The pressure inside the balloon at the altitude will decrease.
2. The pressure inside the balloon at the altitude will remain the same.
3. The pressure inside the balloon at the altitude will increase.
4. The pressure inside the balloon at the altitude will become zero.
Answer:
The correct answer is 2. The pressure inside the balloon remains the same.
Explanation:
When a balloon is taken to a higher altitude where the temperature decreases, the pressure inside the balloon actually remains the same. This is because as the temperature of the gas particles inside the balloon decreases, the average kinetic energy of the gas particles decreases as well. Despite the decrease in temperature and kinetic energy, the pressure inside the balloon stays constant.
This phenomenon is explained by the principles of gas laws, particularly the relationship between temperature, volume, and pressure. The decrease in temperature causes a decrease in the average potential energy of the gas particles, but this does not directly impact the pressure inside the balloon. Therefore, even as the balloon experiences changes in altitude and temperature, the pressure inside the balloon remains unchanged.