How many moles of gas are in the balloon?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the number of moles of gas in a spherical balloon, given its diameter, pressure, and temperature. The subject area includes gas laws and thermodynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the ideal gas law (PV=nRT) and the need to convert temperature to Kelvin. There is also a focus on the correct calculation of volume, with some participants noting errors in the original calculations.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in clarifying the correct units for temperature and pressure, as well as addressing the calculation of volume. There is no explicit consensus on the correct number of moles, as multiple attempts have yielded different results.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding unit conversions and the formula used for volume, which may be affecting the calculations. The original poster expresses frustration over not arriving at the expected answer.

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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