Helium Balloon and Liquid Nitrogen

 

Code Number: 4A40.32

Demo Title: Helium Balloon and Liquid Nitrogen

Principle: Gases at Low Temperature

Procedure:

Blow up a balloon using helium and another balloon with air.  Immerse them both in liquid nitrogen.  Both balloons will contract to a smaller volume, but the helium balloon will float again as it expands whereas the air filled balloon just expands.

References:

  • Clyde J. Smith, "Archimedes’ Principle Meets Charles’ Law", TPT, Vol. 17, #3, Mar. 1979, p. 187, also A Potpourri of Physics Teaching Ideas - Heat and Fluids.

Video Credit: Jonathan M. Sullivan-Wood.

4A40.32 - Helium Balloon and regular Balloon in Liquid Nitrogen