Hooked on Science: Fireproof balloon

With a few ingredients from around the house, you can make a fireproof balloon.

Materials

* Two balloons

* Water

* Grill lighter

Instructions

Step 1: Blow up a balloon and tie the end so the air doesn't escape.

Step 2: Light the grill lighter and place the flame under the balloon. What happened?

Step 3: Put 1/4 of a cup of water in the other balloon.

Step 4: Carefully blow up the balloon and tie the end so the air and water stay inside.

Step 5: Have an adult ignite the grill lighter and place the flame under the balloon. What happened?

Explanation

The balloon with water does not pop. The water inside the balloon absorbs the heat from the flame, keeping the balloon from bursting.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website www.hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments.