A 21 L cylinder containing helium gas at a pressure of 47.9 atm is used to fill a weather balloon in order to lift equipment into the stratosphere. To what maximum pressure (in atm) could a 290 L balloon be filled.

3.5 atm

Explanation:

Given data

Initial pressure (P₁) : 47.9 atm Initial volume (V₁) : 21 L Final pressure (P₂) : ? Final volume (V₂) : 290 L

We can find the maximum pressure that the gas can exert (final pressure) using Boyle's law.

P₁ * V₁ = P₂ * V₂

P₂ = P₁ * V₁ / V₂

P₂ = 47.9 atm * 21 L / 290 L

P₂ = 3.5 atm