How Many Balloons Can .1m^3 He @ 150atm Blow Up?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating how many balloons can be filled with helium gas from a tank with a volume of 0.1 m³ at a pressure of 150 atm, given that each balloon is a sphere with a diameter of 0.3 m and is filled to an absolute pressure of 1.2 atm.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the ideal gas law and considers the volume of the balloons, while expressing uncertainty about the variables involved, particularly temperature. Some participants suggest assuming constant temperature, while others provide calculations based on pressure and volume ratios.

Discussion Status

Participants have offered calculations and suggestions, with some indicating different results based on their interpretations of the problem. There is no explicit consensus on the final answer, but various approaches are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is a discussion regarding the assumptions of constant temperature and the implications of using absolute pressures in the calculations. Some participants question the accuracy of the calculations provided and suggest alternative considerations for the pressure in the tank.

Erik Horwath
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A tank having a volume of .1 m^3 contains helium gas at 150 atm. How many balloons can the tank blow up if each filled balloon is a sphere .3 m in diameter at an absolute pressure of 1.2 atm.

Here is what I have so far: Assuming no gas gas escapes to the atmosphere during transfer, n is constant. R is constant by definition. Lastly the final volume must be a multiple of (4/3)(pi)(.3/2)^3. But this leaves me with three variables -the volume factor, and the initial and final temperatures...please help... thanks
 
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You can try assuming the temperature remains constant.
 
p1*v1=n*p2*v2

(assuming t1 = t2)

v2 = 4/3*pi*(d/2)^3
with d = 0.3m
v2 = 0.014 m^3

n = p1/p2*v1/v2

n = 150 atm/1.2atm*.1m^3/.014m^3
n = 884.194
(0.014 has more numbers after it you'll get this number if u carry them all)

so I'd say the answer is roughly 884 balloons
 
Considering both pressures are absolute, abercrombiems02 arrived nearer to the answer but calculation is wrong(that should give 892.85 balloons).

When the pressure in the tank falls to 1.2atm absolute, there will be no filling. So you should calculate 148.8*0.1/(1.2*0.014)
 

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