A new thermometer is being developed using volume of gas. A balloon is filled with air and calibrated for room temperature to have a volume of 1000 ml. Some time later that week the balloon is measured to have a volume of 900 ml. If room temperature is 300 kelvin, what would the new temperature be? The balloon does not leak.

The new temperature is 270 kelvin

Explanation:

We use the gas law that relates volume and temperature to find the new temperature

This is the Charles’ law and it states that volume and temperature are directly proportional.

Mathematically;

V1/T1 = V2/T2

From the question , V1 = 1000 ml, V2 = 900 ml while T1 = 300 k and T2 = ?

it is T2 we are trying to calculate

Changing the subject of formula;

V2T1/V1 = T2

(900 * 300)/1000 = T2

T2 = 270000/1000

T2 = 270 kelvin