Final answer:
The mass ratio between argon and neon in two balloons of equal volume is approximately 2.0, as argon has a molar mass of 39.948 g/mol and the major isotope of neon has a molar mass of 19.992 g/mol.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the mass ratio between argon (Ar) and neon (Ne) in two balloons of equal volume.
To determine this ratio, we need to consider the atomic mass of both elements.
Argon has an atomic mass of approximately 39.948 g/mol, and the major isotope of neon, neon-20, has an atomic mass of 19.992 g/mol.
Assuming that the balloons are at the same temperature and pressure and contain an equal number of moles of gas, the mass of argon in one balloon can be compared to the mass of neon in the other by using their molar masses.
Mass ratio = Mass of Ar / Mass of Ne
= (Molar mass of Ar * number of moles of Ar) / (Molar mass of Ne * number of moles of Ne)
Since the number of moles is the same for both gases in this scenario, the ratio simplifies to:
= Molar mass of Ar / Molar mass of Ne
= 39.948 g/mol / 19.992 g/mol
= 2.0 (approximately)
Therefore, the mass of argon is approximately twice the mass of neon when comparing equal volumes at the same conditions.