The Pressure of Air Inside a Squeezed Balloon

24 Jan 2022

A balloon contains 2.0 L of air at 101.5 kPa. You squeeze the balloon to a volume of 0.25 L.

What is the pressure of air inside the balloon?

13 kPa

101 kPa

406 kPa

812 kPa

812 kPa

According to Boyle's law pressure and volume of a fixed mass are inversely proportional at constant absolute temperature.

At varying pressure and volume;

P1V1=P2V2

In this case;

Initial volume, V1 = 2.0 L

Initial pressure, P1 = 101.5 kPa

Final volume, V1 = 0.25 L

We are required to determine the new pressure;

P2=P1V1/V2

Replacing the known variables with the values;

P2=(101.5)(2.0L)/0.25L

= 812 kPa

Thus, the pressure of air inside the balloon after squeezing is 812 kPa