Question
Mrs. Andrews did a science demonstration with dry ice. First, she placed some dry ice inside of a balloon. Then she tied off the ballon and placed it on a triple beam balance. The balance showed that the combined mass of the balloon and dry ice was 22 grams. While the balloon sat on the balance, it began to expand. As the dry ice sublimed, or changed from a solid into a gas, the gas filled the balloon. When the dry ice had sublimated completely, how much mass was sitting on the balance and why?
A.
Exactly 22 grams because mass cannot be created or destroyed by ordinary physical changes.
B.
Less than 22 grams because a gas weighs less than a solid.
C.
More than 22 grams because the balloon inflated, so its mass increased.
D.
Less than 22 grams because warm things weigh less than cold ones.
A.
Exactly 22 grams because mass cannot be created or destroyed by ordinary physical changes.
B.
Less than 22 grams because a gas weighs less than a solid.
C.
More than 22 grams because the balloon inflated, so its mass increased.
D.
Less than 22 grams because warm things weigh less than cold ones.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct answer is **A. Exactly 22 grams because mass cannot be created or destroyed by ordinary physical changes.**
In this scenario, the mass of the dry ice initially in the balloon is converted to carbon dioxide gas as it sublimates. The gas is contained within the balloon, and although the balloon expands, the total mass of the system (the balloon and the dry ice) remains unchanged. According to the law of conservation of mass, the total mass before and after the physical change stays the same, so the balance would still show 22 grams.
In this scenario, the mass of the dry ice initially in the balloon is converted to carbon dioxide gas as it sublimates. The gas is contained within the balloon, and although the balloon expands, the total mass of the system (the balloon and the dry ice) remains unchanged. According to the law of conservation of mass, the total mass before and after the physical change stays the same, so the balance would still show 22 grams.