How many moles of gas are in the balloon?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the number of moles of gas in a spherical balloon with a diameter of 36 cm, under atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of 20°C. The initial attempt used the ideal gas law (PV=nRT) but resulted in incorrect calculations due to errors in volume computation and temperature conversion. It was clarified that the temperature must be converted to Kelvin and that the volume should be calculated using the correct formula for a sphere. After correcting these mistakes, the recalculated number of moles was still questioned, indicating ongoing confusion about the proper application of the ideal gas law. The thread emphasizes the importance of accurate unit conversion and formula application in gas calculations.
roam
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Homework Statement



A spherical balloon is inflated to a diameter of 36 cm. Assuming that the gas in the balloon is of atmospheric pressure (101.3 kPa) and is at a temperature of 20°C.

(a) How many moles of gas are in the balloon?

(b) If 21% of the molecules in the balloon are oxygen molecules, how many oxygen molecules are in the balloon?

The Attempt at a Solution



(a) I want to use the formula PV=nRT

Volume is v=\frac{4}{3} \pi (0.18)^2 = 0.1357

R is the constant 8.314

So (101.3)(0.1357)=n8.314(20)

Now if I solve for n I get n= {13.74}{166.28} = 0.082

This is wrong because the correct answer must be 1.02. Do I need to convert the temprature to Kelvin/absolute temprature? ...because I tried that too & it didn't work.
 
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Given pressure is in kilopascal.
Temperature must be in Kelvin.
 
Last edited:
Temperature should be in kelvin
 
Your temperature should be in Kelvin (K) and the pressure in Pa
 
Also, you squared your radii instead of cubing it.
 
Okay 20 degrees is 293.15 in Kelvin, and I converted the pressure to pascals. So my equation becomes

(101300)(0.1357)=n(8.314)(293.15)

n= 5.64

But why is this still not the right answer? :confused:
 
roam said:
Okay 20 degrees is 293.15 in Kelvin, and I converted the pressure to pascals. So my equation becomes

(101300)(0.1357)=n(8.314)(293.15)

n= 5.64

But why is this still not the right answer? :confused:
Check the volume of the gas.
V = 4/3*π*r^3
 
= [. I said that earlier. I'm sad now.
 
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