question_answer

An inflated balloon goes down because gas molecules can diffuse through the rubber Four balloons are filled with different gases at the same temperature and pressure. Which balloon would go down most quickly?

Answer:

                                                         Balloon A Molecular mass \[C{{O}_{2}}=12+16\times 2\] \[=12+32=44\,\text{u}\] Balloon B Molecular mass \[C{{H}_{4}}=12+1\times 4\] \[=12+4=28\,\text{u}\] Balloon C Molecular mass  \[{{N}_{2}}=14\times 2=28\,\text{u}\] Balloon D Molecular mass \[{{O}_{2}}=16\times 2=32\,\text{u}\,\] Methane is the least dense of all as it has the lowest relative molecular mass. So, balloon B would go down most quickly. Remember lighter gas diffuses faster as compared to a heavier gas.