Question

question 5.
the following steps occur during the take off and flight of a hot air balloon.

• step 1: before the heat source is turned on, the balloon lies deflated on the ground.
• step 2: the heat source is turned on, and the balloon begins inflating and lifting off the ground.
• step 3: the heat source remains on while the balloon is fully inflated and in the air.

at which step in this process do the air particles inside the balloon have the most kinetic energy and why?
a. step 1, because as the temperature decreases, the particles move slower and spread when the balloon is deflated.
b. step 2, because as the temperature increases, the particles move faster and closer together to start inflating the balloon.
c. step 3, because as the temperature increases, particles move faster and spread out to fully inflate the balloon.
d. step 3, because as the temperature decreases, the particles move faster and spread out to fully inflate the balloon.

Explanation:

Kinetic energy of particles is related to temperature. Higher temperature means higher kinetic energy. In Step 3, the heat source is still on, so temperature is highest (compared to Step 1 where there's no heat and Step 2 where heating is in progress but not at maximum yet as balloon is just inflating). Particles move faster (higher kinetic energy) when temperature is higher and spread out to fully inflate the balloon.

Answer:

C. Step 3, because as the temperature increases, particles move faster and spread out to fully inflate the balloon.