Question

What happens to gas particles as atmospheric pressure decrease?

Answer 1

imagine you have a balloon filled with Helium (or any other gas) submerged in water, (where P=2), what would happen to the volume of the balloon when you remove the balloon (from the water) and is now only subjected to atmospheric pressure (P=1)?

Answer 2

the balloon would float

Answer 3

in the water i mean

Answer 4

no but you're holding it under the water surface (so it's submerged). What would happen to the volume of the balloon when you took it out of the water (where the pressure is less)?

Answer 5

decrease?

Answer 6

but the pressure is less in the air (than in the water). The balloon would expand and it's volume would increase. Now, think about what is going on at the molecular level, are the molecules closer together or farther apart?

Answer 7

if it expands, im gonna say farther.

Answer 8

\(\checkmark\)

Answer 9

ok so the gas particles increase?

Answer 10

i mean decrease

Answer 11

no, the molecules themselves don't change in size, simply the space between them get larger.

Answer 12

thanks

Answer 13

no problem