Question

Water vapor is a component in air and can enter tires when an air compressor or air pump is used to fill a tire. Your friend mentions having water in her tire after using the air pump at a local gas station. If she stores her bicycle outside overnight in a cold temperature, what would happen to the water vapor?

a) The water vapor will freeze, potentially causing damage to the tire.
b) The water vapor will evaporate into the air.
c) The water vapor will remain in the tire without any significant change.
d) The water vapor will turn into liquid water inside the tire.

Answer 1

Water vapor in a bicycle tire can condense into liquid water when exposed to cold temperatures and might freeze, which can potentially damage the tire or affect tire pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a bicycle tire that has been filled with air utilizing an air compressor is stored outside in cold temperatures overnight, the water vapor present in the air within the tire may condense into liquid water. This is due to the decrease in temperature causing the water vapor to transition from a gaseous to a liquid state. Depending on the temperature, this liquid water could then potentially freeze within the tire. If the water freezes and expands, it could cause damage to the tire or affect the tire pressure.