Part 1. A lightly inflated balloon is placed in a freezer. Explain the change to the size of the balloon based on the kinetic molecular theory. Part 2. What would most likely happen to the balloon if it was instead kept outside in the sun for some time? Explain your answer on the kinetic molecular theory.

In both cases assume the balloon is tied tight enough so that air does not escape.​

a) A lightly inflated balloon is placed in a freezer: the size will decrease.

b)if it was instead kept outside in the sun for some time: the size will increase.

Explanation:

a) When we keep an inflated balloon in a freezer, it means we are keeping the balloon at lower temperature. According to kinetic molecular theory, if we decrease the temperature of gas sample, the kinetic energy of molecules will decrease, and they will move less randomly. The space between them will decrease, and the volume of the gas will decrease. This makes the size of balloon to decrease.

b) in second case, if we keep it in sun, the temperature will increase. The increase in temperature will increase the kinetic energy of molecules and thus molecules will move more randomly. The space between them will increase, this will increase the volume.

In extreme case the balloon may burst even.

Explanation:

1. The frozen balloon shrank because the average kinetic energy of the gas molecules in a balloon decreases when the temperature decreases.

2. the baloon might have a posibility to pop

1 As the water and air in the bottle is heated, the molecules move faster (increase in kinetic energy), and some of the air molecules enter the balloon and the balloon expands. If the “hot” water bath is hot enough to make the water boil, then water molecules will turn to vapor and they will also enter the balloon.

2 The opposite will occur. Molecular motion will slow in the bottle, while the molecules in the balloon move faster (the temperature of the balloon has not changed).