4B50.25 - Balloons & Matches

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.
Code Number:
4B50.25
Demo Title:
Balloons & Matches
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Thermal Conductivity
Area of Study:
Heat & Fluids
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.

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