Fireproof Balloon
Balloons are fragile objects. We all know that balloons and sharp objects don't
mix well. We also know to keep them away from open flames. Usually fire melts
the rubber and causes it to burst. However, here we will show you how to hold a
balloon over a flame without it popping. Yes, you can be the life of the party!
Materials:
- A Few Large Balloons
- Some Wood Matches or Candle Works Best
- Water
Watch Video
Process:
1) Take one balloon and blow it up. Set it aside.
2) Fill a second balloon with 1/4 cup water prior to inflating it. Then blow that one
up as well.
3) Light the candle and let the flame get ripping.
4) Take the balloon with only air inside and hold it over the flame. What
happened? You guessed it, the balloon popped. It may have bursted even before
you put it in the flame.
5) Now take the balloon with water inside and hold that one over the flame.
Amazingly the flame does not pop this balloon. You may see black stuff (soot)
form on the balloon where the flame meets it.
The Science:
The flame generates heat on whatever surface it touches. The balloon with no
water heated very quickly and the latex rubber became weak to the point where
the air pressure inside burst through. The difference with the balloon holding the
water was that most of the heat from the flame was absorbed by the water instead
of the latex rubber. As a result the rubber did not get very hot and weaken.
Therefore the balloon did not burst!
Water is a great absorber of heat. A lot of heat is needed to change the
temperature of water. It takes ten times as much heat to raise the temperature of 1
gram of water by 1C than it does to raise the temperature of 1 gram of iron by the
same amount. This is why it takes so long to bring a tea kettle of water to the boil.
On the other hand, when water cools, it releases a great deal of heat. This is why
areas near oceans or other large bodies of water do not get as cold in winter as
areas at the same latitude further inland.
mix well. We also know to keep them away from open flames. Usually fire melts
the rubber and causes it to burst. However, here we will show you how to hold a
balloon over a flame without it popping. Yes, you can be the life of the party!
Materials:
- A Few Large Balloons
- Some Wood Matches or Candle Works Best
- Water
Watch Video
Process:
1) Take one balloon and blow it up. Set it aside.
2) Fill a second balloon with 1/4 cup water prior to inflating it. Then blow that one
up as well.
3) Light the candle and let the flame get ripping.
4) Take the balloon with only air inside and hold it over the flame. What
happened? You guessed it, the balloon popped. It may have bursted even before
you put it in the flame.
5) Now take the balloon with water inside and hold that one over the flame.
Amazingly the flame does not pop this balloon. You may see black stuff (soot)
form on the balloon where the flame meets it.
The Science:
The flame generates heat on whatever surface it touches. The balloon with no
water heated very quickly and the latex rubber became weak to the point where
the air pressure inside burst through. The difference with the balloon holding the
water was that most of the heat from the flame was absorbed by the water instead
of the latex rubber. As a result the rubber did not get very hot and weaken.
Therefore the balloon did not burst!
Water is a great absorber of heat. A lot of heat is needed to change the
temperature of water. It takes ten times as much heat to raise the temperature of 1
gram of water by 1C than it does to raise the temperature of 1 gram of iron by the
same amount. This is why it takes so long to bring a tea kettle of water to the boil.
On the other hand, when water cools, it releases a great deal of heat. This is why
areas near oceans or other large bodies of water do not get as cold in winter as
areas at the same latitude further inland.
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