Question
"Blow up a balloon and tie it up. Leave it for a few days. After a few days, the balloon becomes smaller.Why?"
The answer given is that the air particles diffuse out of the balloon.
Can you please explain the answer? I understand that diffusion involves particles moving from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
Why are air particles able to diffuse out of the balloon?
Thank you.
The answer given is that the air particles diffuse out of the balloon.
Can you please explain the answer? I understand that diffusion involves particles moving from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
Why are air particles able to diffuse out of the balloon?
Thank you.
Answers
drwls
There are gaps between the rubber molecules of a balloon that are barely large enough to let air molecules slip through. The process is slow becasue many collisions are required. It is a special case of diffusion from a dense region of air (inside the balloon) to the outside.