How Many Balloons Can One Helium Tank Fill?

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In summary, the conversation discusses using a tank of helium at 120 atm to fill balloons at an absolute pressure of 1.35 atm and a diameter of 0.3 m. Using the ideal gas law, it is determined that 0.1 m^3 of helium at 120 atm can fill 629 balloons at 1 atm.
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[SOLVED] Helium and Balloons/Pressure

Homework Statement



A tank having a volume of 0.100 m3 contains helium gas at 120 atm. How many balloons can the tank blow up if each filled balloon is a sphere 0.300 m in diameter at an absolute pressure of 1.35 atm?

What i know:
V(tank)=.1m^3
P(tank)=120atm=1.21E7 Pa

Density(balloon)=.3m
Volume(balloon)=.0141m^3
P(balloon)=1.35atm=1.36E5 Pa

Volume(helium)=1.23E-26 m^3

PV=nRT

So, once the helium is transferred into a balloon the volume it takes up changes due to the change in pressure, correct? I'm not sure how to relate all these quantities in order to find out how many balloons I can fill the the with the given volume of He.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
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  • #2
What's the volume of 0.1m^3 of helium at 120 atm if you reduce it to 1atm. Then how many balloons can you fill?
 
  • #3
1.21E7Pa (.1m^3)=1.36E5Pa (V)=629 ballooons

thank you
 

FAQ: How Many Balloons Can One Helium Tank Fill?

What is helium and why is it used in balloons?

Helium is a chemical element with the symbol He and atomic number 2. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas that heads the noble gas series in the periodic table. Helium is the second lightest element and is used in balloons due to its low density, which allows the balloons to float.

How does helium affect the pressure inside a balloon?

Helium has a lower density than air, so when it is used to fill a balloon, the gas molecules are less tightly packed and the pressure inside the balloon is lower than the surrounding air. This creates a pressure difference, causing the balloon to rise and float.

How much helium is needed to fill a balloon?

The amount of helium needed to fill a balloon depends on the size and shape of the balloon. Generally, a standard 9-inch diameter balloon requires about 14.1 liters of helium to become fully inflated.

Can you use other gases besides helium to fill balloons?

While other gases like hydrogen and nitrogen can be used to fill balloons, they are not as commonly used as helium. This is because hydrogen is flammable and nitrogen is not as buoyant as helium, making it difficult for balloons to float. Helium is the safest and most effective gas for filling balloons.

How does the temperature affect the pressure inside a balloon?

The temperature of the gas inside a balloon affects its pressure. When the temperature increases, the gas molecules inside the balloon gain more energy and move faster, causing the pressure inside the balloon to increase. On the other hand, a decrease in temperature will cause the gas molecules to slow down, resulting in a decrease in pressure inside the balloon.

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