How to Calculate the Volume of a Balloon at Different Temperatures?

What is Charles's law and how can it help us calculate the volume of a balloon at different temperatures?

Charles's law states that the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature at constant pressure. This law can be used to calculate the volume of a balloon at different temperatures. How can we apply Charles's law to solve such problems?

Understanding Charles's Law and Applying it to Calculate Balloon Volume

Charles's law defines the relationship between the volume and temperature of a gas. According to this law, at constant pressure, the volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature in Kelvin. Mathematically, Charles's law can be expressed as:

V1 / T1 = V2 / T2

Where:

V1 = Initial volume of the gas

T1 = Initial temperature (in Kelvin)

V2 = Final volume of the gas

T2 = Final temperature (in Kelvin)

Calculating Balloon Volume using Charles's Law

To calculate the volume of a balloon at a different temperature, we can use the formula derived from Charles's law. Here's how:

1. Identify the initial volume and temperature of the balloon.

2. Determine the final temperature at which you want to calculate the volume.

3. Substitute the initial volume (V1) and initial temperature (T1) into the formula.

4. Solve for the final volume (V2) using the formula V2 = V1 * (T2 / T1).

5. The calculated final volume represents the volume of the balloon at the new temperature.

Example Calculation:

Let's say we have a balloon with an initial volume of 2 liters at a temperature of 300 K. If we want to find out the volume of the balloon at 400 K, we can apply Charles's law as follows:

V2 = 2 L * (400 K / 300 K) = 2.67 L

Therefore, the volume of the balloon at 400 K would be 2.67 liters.