2007-07-15 08:15:26 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Atmospheric pressure decreases as you get higher in the air, so as the balloon rises, the helium gas in the balloon "feels" less pressure from the outside. It's kind of like how if you dive into a swimming pool and go to the bottom - you sort of feel pressure on your head and ears, right? Well, it's the opposite when you go up in the air - there's less pressure. The helium gas therefore expands, because it's less compressed by the air pressure around it. As the helium expands more and more, it eventually gets to the point where the rubber balloon can't take it anymore - it's stretched too much, and it breaks. Good luck!
2007-07-15 08:28:37 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Stu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That would depend upon how much helium is in the balloon. The balloon will rise and expand until the inside pressure is equal to the outside pressure. If the elasticity of the balloon is exceeded before the point of equal pressures is reached, then the balloon will pop. If the point of equal pressures is reached before the elasticity of the balloon is exceeded, then the balloon will not pop. The more helium that is in the balloon the higher it will rise and the more it will expand.
2007-07-15 08:26:27 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pressure at sea level is 1 atm
What is the pressure at high elevations? Is it greater or less than 1 atm? What is the pressure in outer space?
Have you learned Boyle's Law?
2007-07-15 08:26:20 · answer #3 · answered by skipper 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋