An inflated balloon has a volume of 3.85 L at 24 C. The balloon is placed in a refrigerator and cooled to 4.0 C. What is the new volume of the balloon? Assume the pressure does not change.

Answer 1

Start off with what you are given:

V₁ is the initial volume, T₁ is initial temperature, V₂ is final volume, and T₂ is final temperature. 

V₁: 3.75L

T₁: 24∘C

V₂: ?

T₂: 4.0∘C

Plug into the formula:

V₁T₁=V₂T₂

[Remember to convert Celsius values to Kelvin. This can be done by adding 273 to whatever value in Celsius you have.]

3.75/297=V2/277

Now cross multiply to get:

297V₂= 1038.75

Now divide both sides by 297 to isolate V₂

V₂= 3.497

Therefore, V₂= 3.50 L           (3 sig figs)