A balloon filled with air is taken up a mountain with hiker. What is the pressure exerted on the balloon at sea level?
usually 14 lb/in^2
A 13.0 kg block of concrete rests on a 5 cm by 2 cm board. What is the acceleration of the block of concrete here on Earth?
To determine the pressure exerted on the balloon at sea level, we need to consider the properties of the gas inside the balloon and the change in atmospheric pressure as we ascend the mountain.
1. Start by understanding the concept of atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air above a particular point on the Earth's surface. It decreases as you go higher in altitude, since there is less air above you.
2. Next, consider the properties of the gas inside the balloon. Assuming it is filled with air, which is mostly composed of nitrogen (approximately 78%) and oxygen (approximately 21%) with trace amounts of other gases, we can use the ideal gas law to understand its behavior. The ideal gas law equation relates the pressure (P), volume (V), the number of moles of gas (n), and the temperature (T) of a gas: PV = nRT, where R is the ideal gas constant.
3. As we ascend the mountain, the atmospheric pressure decreases. The exact rate of change depends on various factors such as altitude, temperature, and weather conditions. Generally, atmospheric pressure decreases by about 1 atmosphere (atm) for every 10 meters of ascent. However, for simplicity, let's assume a constant rate of change.
4. Suppose we know the initial pressure of the air inside the balloon at sea level (let's say it's P0). Then, we can calculate the pressure exerted on the balloon at a higher altitude using the equation: P = P0 - ΔP, where P is the pressure, ΔP is the change in pressure due to the ascent, and P0 is the initial pressure.
5. Suppose the balloon is taken to an altitude that corresponds to a decrease in atmospheric pressure of ΔP. Then, the pressure exerted on the balloon at that altitude would be P = P0 - ΔP.
In summary, to determine the pressure exerted on the balloon at sea level, you would need to know the initial pressure of the air inside the balloon, the rate of decrease in atmospheric pressure with altitude, and the altitude at which the balloon is taken. Calculating the exact pressure at a given altitude would require more specific information and may involve using meteorological data or atmospheric models.