Question

A group of students decided to test some parameters of gases using a balloon. The students filled two balloons to the same volume. One balloon was placed in a freezer and the other was left at room temperature. The balloons were left and checked after three hours.

Student A claimed that the balloon in the freezer would be the same size as the balloon at room temperature after the three hours were up.
Student B claimed that the balloon in the freezer would be larger than the balloon at room temperature after three hours.
Student C claimed that the balloon in the freezer would be smaller than the balloon at room temperature after three hours.
Which student's claim is correct? Explain your reasoning!

Answer 1

Student C.

Step-by-step explanation:

At higher temperatures, the particles move faster and collide with each other more frequently, which causes the gas to occupy a larger volume. At lower temperatures, the particles move slower and collide less frequently, which causes the gas to occupy a smaller volume.

When the balloon is placed in the freezer, the temperature inside the balloon will also decrease, causing the gas particles to slow down and collide less frequently, which leads to a decrease in the volume of the gas, hence the balloon will shrink or contract. On the other hand, the room temperature balloon will experience no significant change in the temperature and the gas particles inside the balloon will remain at the same level of activity, causing the balloon to retain the same volume.