Balloon Experiments in Physics

Why Do We Do Experiments?

Experiments are carried out to understand the existence of all that exists around us. It is a platform where ideas can be transformed into actions. It is a point where science becomes visible.

Every experiment conducted improves scientific knowledge and ability to deal with real-world problems.

Balloon Experiments in Physics

• Balloon Rocket Experiment – Based on Newton’s laws of motion.
• Without using the Mouth, Blow up a Balloon – This experiment helps to learn chemical reactions by acids and bases.
• Designing a Balloon-powered Vehicle – Based on Newton’s laws of motion.
• Spear a Balloon without Popping – This experiment will help with polymers.

Fireproof Balloon Experiment

It is well known that balloons are made up of rubber and are fragile. As the balloon comes into contact with flames, it burns. The rubber could become weak from fire and burst. Water has a high thermal conductivity. It works against the fire and put out fires and prevents them from catching fire.

The study of this experiment is to explain the relationship between thermal heating or cooling and the heat capacity of water. Moreover, compare the heat conductivity of air and water. Now, let’s analyze the fireproof balloon experiment.

Materials Required:

• • • Water
    • 2 balloons
    • A pair of safety glasses
    • Lighter or matchsticks
    • A candle holder and a candle

Procedure:

• • 1. Fill the balloon with air by blowing and tying it up.
    2. Use a lighter or candle and hold it below the balloon, it would explode. Also, the balloon should not touch the flame, it should just be brought closer to the flame.
    3. Put on safety glasses for personal safety while performing an experiment.
    4. Now take another balloon and add a little bit of water inside it.
    5. Once you have filled the balloon with water, fill the rest of the space with air of the same size as the first one.
    6. In the same way, a second balloon should also be brought near the flame. Try holding a lighter underneath it. Unlike the first time, it will not burst.
    7. Despite the bottom part of the balloon being in contact with flame, the balloon does not pop. It will simply leave a mark of black colour at the bottom of the balloon.

Observation:

• When an air-filled balloon is placed over a flame, it is quite difficult to prevent the balloon from bursting.
• When a water-filled balloon is placed over a flame, a balloon does not explode by the flame.
• Why do air-filled balloons burst?

In the absence of water, the rubber of the balloon gets so hot when in contact with fire that becomes too weak to resist the pressure of the air that is inside the balloon. Hence, the balloon bursts with a bang sound.

• Why do water-filled balloons not burst?

The flame is a heat source that could change the size and shape of any object that is in contact with it. The flame heated Both balloons, but the rubber of the first balloon doesn’t contain water, its rubber gets very hot and gets weak, making it difficult to oppose the pressure that is exerted by the flame on it.

The second balloon that was filled with water did not burst because when the water that is filled inside the balloon is placed close to the flame, it begins to absorb a significant amount of heat from the flame. As a result, the balloon’s rubber does not get heated up. It doesn’t get weak to burst. To change the water’s temperature, plenty of heat is required. Since water is a good heat absorber, it requires a lot of heat to change its temperature.

Fireproof Balloon Experiment Application

• The human body is made up of 70% of water which balances our body. To control heat our body uses water. When we start to exercise our body starts producing sweats and it does so to regulate the temperature of the body, because of this we don’t get overheated. As our sweat as a protective layer start evaporating it takes away all the heat energy it leaving cooler skin behind which makes us feel cool.
• The firefighters currently use fireproof super absorbent polymer foams that are used in protecting homes from catching by forest fires or dangerous fires.
• There is another foam which is known as the water-absorbing polymer foam which is just used in a baby diaper and is similar to the fireproof absorbent polymer.
• These foams can also be used as shaving cream on the outside of a burning building or house that can be caught fire.

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