Question

question 12

most balloons, even if they do not pop, will gradually shrink as the gas inside them slowly leaks out.

assuming all gases are at the same temperature and pressure, which balloon would shrink the fastest?

• a balloon filled with carbon dioxide gas (\\(\text{co}_2\\))
• all of the balloons would shrink at the same rate
• a balloon filled with neon gas (\\(\text{ne}\\))
• a balloon filled with oxygen gas (\\(\text{o}_2\\))
• a balloon filled with nitrogen gas (\\(\text{n}_2\\))

Explanation:

State the physical principle

$$ \text{Rate of effusion} \propto \frac{1}{\sqrt{M}} $$

Calculate the molar masses of the gases

$$
LATEXBLOCK0
$$

Determine the fastest shrinking balloon

$$ M(\text{Ne}) < M(\text{N}_2) < M(\text{O}_2) < M(\text{CO}_2) \implies \text{Rate}(\text{Ne}) \text{ is the highest} $$

Answer:

• A balloon filled with carbon dioxide gas (\(\text{CO}_2\))
• All of the balloons would shrink at the same rate
• A balloon filled with neon gas (\(\text{Ne}\)) (Correct answer)
• A balloon filled with oxygen gas (\(\text{O}_2\))
• A balloon filled with nitrogen gas (\(\text{N}_2\))