10
QuizMultiple Choice

States of Matter

Question 10 • 25-26 CHEMISTRY IN THE EARTH SYSTEM S1

A floating balloon can be formed when the substance helium is released from a compressed container into a flat rubber balloon. Then, the decompressed helium atoms expand and float up, making the rubber balloon expand around them and float with them. What is helium’s state when it does this?

Answer
A
liquid
B
solid
C
gas
D
plasma

Explanation

Helium spreads out to fill the balloon and expands as it is released from the container. Those are properties of a gas, so the correct choice is gas. The helium is not a liquid or solid, and it is not plasma under these conditions.

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