Question

Part 1. A glass bottle, which is half-filled with water, has a balloon attached to its opening. The bottle is placed in a hot water bath for some time. Explain the change to the size of the balloon based on the kinetic molecular theory.

Part 2. What would most likely happen to the balloon if the bottle was then placed into a jar of cold water with ice cubes? Explain your answer based on the kinetic molecular theory.

In both cases, assume the balloon is attached tightly enough so that air does not escape the system. (10 points)

Answer 1

1) Heat is transferred from the bath to the bottle. This will cause the temperature of the gas molecules to increase, and thus their kinetic energy will increase. As a result, the size of the balloon will increase.

2) The size of the balloon would decrease because since the temperature is decreasing, the particles have less kinetic energy, and thus are packed more closely together.