Question

A weather balloon with a volume of 3.86934 L is released from Earth’s surface at sea level.What volume will the balloon occupy at an altitude of 20.0 km, where the air pressure is 10 kPa?
Answer in units of L

Answer 1

Assuming the T is constant (which it will not be) use p1v1 = p2v2

Answer 2

I know I'm suppose to use 3.86934 as the first volume and 10 kPa as the second pressure, but what am I suppose to use as the first pressure? Am I suppose to use 20.0 km?

Answer 3

No, 20 km is a distance, not a pressure. The problem says the balloon is relesed at sea level on earth's surface. Pressure at sea level is 101.325 kPa or 1 atm or 14.7 lb/sq ft. Since you are using kPa for the second P you should use first P in the same units.

Answer 4

Oh okay, thankyou!