You are completing tests using a weather balloon and want to check the temperature at 3000 meters into the air. You check if the balloon will not burst before it gets to that altitude. You will need to perform a few calculations. The manufacturer of the balloon guarantees it up to 47.0 Liters in size. Will the balloon make it to the mentioned altitude without bursting? The temperature at ground level is 20 C. The pressure is 765 mmHg. The volume of the balloon prior to release is 30.0 Liters. It is filled with helium. Use PV = nRT for both the calculations below.

1. Calculate the number of grams of helium in the balloon.
2. Find if the balloon can reach 3000 meters without bursting. The temperature and pressure at 3000 meters was measured at Temp = 6.0 C, Pressure = .565 atm

Question

You are completing tests using a weather balloon and want to check the temperature at 3000 meters into the air.  You check if the balloon will not burst before it gets to that altitude.  You will need to perform a few calculations. The manufacturer of the balloon guarantees it up to 47.0 Liters in size. Will the balloon make it to the mentioned altitude without bursting?  The temperature at ground level is 20 C.  The pressure is 765 mmHg.  The volume of the balloon prior to release is 30.0 Liters.  It is filled with helium. Use PV = nRT for both the calculations below.

1. Calculate the number of grams of helium in the balloon.
2. Find if the balloon can reach 3000 meters without bursting. The temperature and pressure at 3000 meters was measured at Temp = 6.0 C, Pressure = .565 atm

a1234 · Answer

So I got 5.0251 grams for the first question. But how is this helpful for the second question?

anonymous · Answer

maybe it is helpful because helium is lighter than air, meaning air outside the balloon will exert a greater pressure on it than the helium inside the balloon onto the outside? try setting things up into proportions, see if it helps

a1234 · Answer

How do I set it up?

anonymous · Answer

I will get back to you in a minute so I can work it out on paper

anonymous · Answer

ok, so I think the answer is yes, it can reach 3000 meters. because earlier in the question it stated that "you want to check the temperature at 3000 meters" and then, in #2, it states that the temperature has been recorded as 6.0 C. So the balloon couldnt have popped, because you were able to record the temperature. This is only a really rough guess, so it probably is not right. I think you guys were given a trick question?

a1234 · Answer

I think the temperature and pressure given are only those of the air and not the balloon?

a1234 · Answer

Not sure...I'm confused too

anonymous · Answer

hmm. im not sure how to help. sorry, maybe you could ask your teacher. I still say no, it wont pop, because the air pressure at 3000 is very light

a1234 · Answer

Okay. Thanks for trying!

aaronq · Answer

"The manufacturer of the balloon guarantees it up to 47.0 Liters in size." indicates the limit of the volume of the balloon, after it reaches >47 L it will pop.

Use the idea gas law to find the volume at that altitude, if the calculation shows it would exceed 47 L we can assume it popped.