The entire volume of a balloon is filled with air. However, over time, the balloon becomes soft as the air pressure inside it decreases.
According to the gas laws, which answer choice best describes the cause for the decrease in the balloon's air pressure?
The temperature of the air within the balloon decreased, which caused the air particles to slow down and move closer together.
The volume of the air within the balloon decreased, which caused the air particles to become cooler and slow down.
The temperature of the air within the balloon increased, which caused the air particles to speed up and move farther apart.
The volume of the air within the balloon increased, which caused the air particles to become warmer and speed up.
The correct answer choice is: The temperature of the air within the balloon decreased, which caused the air particles to slow down and move closer together.
Explanation:
According to the ideal gas law, the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature and inversely proportional to its volume. When the temperature of a gas decreases, the particles within it slow down, reducing their kinetic energy. As a result, the gas particles move closer together, decreasing the volume. This decrease in volume leads to a decrease in the pressure of the gas.
In the given scenario, as the temperature of the air within the balloon decreases, the air particles slow down and move closer together. This causes the volume of the air within the balloon to decrease, leading to a decrease in air pressure. Consequently, the balloon becomes soft.