Question

Some students want to demonstrate thermal expansion. They divide the following method: A large black balloon is taken to a shady area and filled with cool air. The balloon is then taken to a bright, sunny location. After a short time, the balloon begins to expand.

What explanation does this investigation verify?

A. A balloon filled with cool air will rise into the atmosphere
B. As particles gain energy the material takes up more space.
C. The air inside the balloon lost energy.
D. The sunlight caused the air in the balloon to contract.

Answer 1

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The investigation described verifies option B: "As particles gain energy, the material takes up more space."

When the cool air is pumped into the balloon in a shady area, the particles in the air have less energy and are closer together. When the balloon is moved to a bright, sunny location, the air inside the balloon absorbs the energy from the sunlight and the particles gain energy, which makes them move faster and farther apart. As a result, the air inside the balloon takes up more space and the balloon expands.

This phenomenon is an example of thermal expansion, which is the tendency of matter to change its shape, volume, and area in response to a change in temperature.