Set up for Balloons & Matches demo
Water Balloon on fire

 

Code Number: 4B50.25

Demo Title: Balloons & Matches

Condition: Good

Principle: Thermal Conductivity

Area of Study: Thermodynamics

Equipment: 

Water balloon, matches or grill lighter, ring stand.

Procedure:

Fill the balloon with water until it fits on the ring stand without falling through.  Use the grill lighter to bring a flame to the side or bottom of the water balloon.  Note the there will be some scorching but that the balloon will not burst because the water conducts the heat away from the spot you are touching with the flame.  Compare this to a regular balloon filled with air.

References:

  • H-144: Air and Water-Filled Balloons, DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Boiling Water in a Balloon", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 230.
  • Carl Ahlers, "The Balloon-and-Water Trick", Expose Excite Ignite!  An Essential Guide to Whizz-Bang Chemistry", p. 55.