- #1
platina
- 21
- 0
Is it possible to use a balance to measure the mass of a gas?
Let's say that the experiment I'm going to describe is possible and takes place in a vacuum so as to avoid any buoyant force from the surrounding atmosphere, and the balloon to be used does not allow any effusion of the gas from within. The balance to be used has infinite precision.
If you take the mass of a balloon (not inflated, not tied off), you are measuring the mass of the balloon (the latex or whatever).
If you inflate the balloon with pure carbon dioxide gas and tie the balloon off and place it on the balance what are you taking the mass of? Is it possible that the balance is measuring the mass of every single CO2 molecule in the balloon?
Here is my reasoning...
I can imagine if it were possible to condense every last CO2 molecule in the balloon into dry ice while it sat on the balance, the balance would report the mass of the latex and every CO2 molecule.
If then, the dry ice was able to sublime would the reading on the balance slowly decrease as CO2 molecules entered the gas phase?
I'm struggling to see how the mass of those gas particles not in contact with anything (in transit from one end of the balloon to the other) could effect the reading of the balance.
Thanks for your time...this idea was prompted by the conservation of mass experiment involving baking soda, a balloon, vinegar, a bottle, and a balance.
Let's say that the experiment I'm going to describe is possible and takes place in a vacuum so as to avoid any buoyant force from the surrounding atmosphere, and the balloon to be used does not allow any effusion of the gas from within. The balance to be used has infinite precision.
If you take the mass of a balloon (not inflated, not tied off), you are measuring the mass of the balloon (the latex or whatever).
If you inflate the balloon with pure carbon dioxide gas and tie the balloon off and place it on the balance what are you taking the mass of? Is it possible that the balance is measuring the mass of every single CO2 molecule in the balloon?
Here is my reasoning...
I can imagine if it were possible to condense every last CO2 molecule in the balloon into dry ice while it sat on the balance, the balance would report the mass of the latex and every CO2 molecule.
If then, the dry ice was able to sublime would the reading on the balance slowly decrease as CO2 molecules entered the gas phase?
I'm struggling to see how the mass of those gas particles not in contact with anything (in transit from one end of the balloon to the other) could effect the reading of the balance.
Thanks for your time...this idea was prompted by the conservation of mass experiment involving baking soda, a balloon, vinegar, a bottle, and a balance.