Which statement differentiates compliant balloons from non-compliant balloons?

Which statement differentiates compliant balloons from non-compliant balloons?

• A. Compliant balloons increase diameter with higher pressure; non-compliant balloons do not
• B. Both always behave identically under pressure
• C. Non-compliant balloons increase diameter with higher pressure; compliant do not
• D. Both never waist during inflation

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how balloon material responds to inflation pressure. Compliant balloons are made from softer, stretchable material, so as you increase pressure their diameter grows noticeably. Non-compliant balloons have stiffer walls and resist expansion, so once they reach their intended diameter, further pressure increases produce little to no additional size change. This is why the statement describing compliant balloons as increasing diameter with higher pressure, while non-compliant balloons do not, best captures the difference. The other notions—that they behave identically, or that non-compliant balloons expand more with pressure, or that neither waist during inflation occurs—don’t reflect how balloon dilatation actually works.

The main idea is how balloon material responds to inflation pressure. Compliant balloons are made from softer, stretchable material, so as you increase pressure their diameter grows noticeably. Non-compliant balloons have stiffer walls and resist expansion, so once they reach their intended diameter, further pressure increases produce little to no additional size change. This is why the statement describing compliant balloons as increasing diameter with higher pressure, while non-compliant balloons do not, best captures the difference. The other notions—that they behave identically, or that non-compliant balloons expand more with pressure, or that neither waist during inflation occurs—don’t reflect how balloon dilatation actually works.