The density of a balloon will decrease if?

(a) more gas is added to the balloon
(b) a higher molar mass gas is substituted
(c) the temperature of the gas is increased
(d) none of the above

Thank you to anyone that answers this.

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 27, 2018

#c.# is probably the best answer....

Explanation:

By definition, #"density"# #,rho="mass"/"volume"#...

#a.#...and when we inflate a balloon we do increase its mass (because we add MORE gas), but we also increase its volume....

On the other hand for #b.# we add a gas whose molar mass is higher....CLEARLY, for a GIVEN volume the mass of the balloon will be greater, and so will its density....

#d.#...probably a distraction...

#c.#...and should we increase the gas temperature, the volume occupied by a given balloon should increase....the denominator in the defining quotient for density becomes LARGER, and so density should DECREASE....

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