Question

A hot air balloon has a volume of 15 L when it’s released from sea level, where the pressure is 100 kPa. What will be the hot air balloon’s volume when it reaches an altitude where the pressure is 23 kPa? Write the formula first then show your math!

Answer 1

65 L

Step-by-step explanation:

It is assumed that the temperature is constant at both the sea level and the altitude.

According to the gas law, at constant temperature, the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume. Mathematically:

P1V1 = P2V2 where P1 = pressure at initial volume, V1 = volume at initial pressure, P2 = pressure at final volume, and V2 = volume at final pressure.

In the illustration, V1 = 15 L, P1 = 100 kPa, V2 =?, P2 = 23 kPa

V2 = P1V1/P2 = 100 x 15/23 = 65.22 L

The volume of the hot air balloon at the altitude would be 65 L