How Big is the Balloon When Helium Tank Pressure Drops?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a helium-filled balloon and the effects of pressure changes on its volume. It is set within the context of gas laws, specifically the ideal gas law, and examines the relationship between pressure and volume in a closed system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the ideal gas law to determine the volume of the balloon after a pressure drop. Some participants suggest alternative methods, such as using the relationship between initial and final states of pressure and volume.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on the original approach and clarifying the specific question regarding the volume of the balloon. There is a focus on ensuring that the answer aligns with the question asked.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the distinction between the total volume of gas and the specific volume of the balloon. The original poster's calculations are based on the assumption that the temperature remains constant throughout the process.

gabriel5
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Homework Statement


Helium in a steel tank is at 250kPa, 300K with a volume of .1m^3. It is used to fill a balloon. When the pressure drops to 150kPa, the flow of helium stops by itself. If all the helium is still at 300k, how big balloon is produced?

Homework Equations


I used the ideal gas law PV=mRT


The Attempt at a Solution


What i did was that i solved for the mass which i got was .04012 and then i used that mass in the ideal gas law with the new pressure of 150kPa to get a new volume of .167 m^3 is this the right approach and answer?
 
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That's a fine approach, but be sure to answer the precise question asked: How big is the balloon?

Rather than calculate the mass, since it's constant, you could have just used:
P1V1 = P2V2.
 
By asking how big the balloon is doesn't it mean give the volume or what do you think i should put down?
 
You want the volume of the balloon, not the total volume.
 

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