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We created a vacuum and placed a balloon in there and the balloon continued to expand until it exploded. Why did it expand? Is it due to the lack of pressure in the chamber?
Question Date: 2007-02-26
Answer 1:

Inside a balloon there are gas molecules (oxygen, nitrogen, etc.) bouncing around and exerting pressure toward the outside of the balloon. If the balloon was not in a vacuum the gas molecules from the outside would be exerting pressure toward the balloon surface, opposing the pressure from the inside. However, there is no gas in a vacuum, therefore any pressure. So yes, you are right. The balloon exploded because of the lack of pressure in the chamber causing the balloon to expand, releasing pressure from inside.


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