Chapter 38, Problem 41A

Why will helium leak through an inflated rubber balloon more readily than hydrogen will?

To determine

The reason for faster leakage of the hydrogen than helium through an inflated rubber balloon.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The amount of gas leaked through the leak depends on the relative size of the atoms of the gases. The less is the size of atoms of the gas faster it leaked through the small opening.

The atoms of the helium gas are smaller than the atoms of the hydrogen gas. The more atoms of the helium gas leaks through the leak of an inflated rubber balloon than the atoms of the hydrogen gas in same time.

Conclusion:

The helium leaked faster than hydrogen through an inflated rubber balloon because the atoms size of helium gas is smaller than the atoms size of hydrogen gas.