Skewer a balloon

How can you get a skewer through a balloon without popping it?

Materials

* Balloon

* Skewer

* Cooking oil

Instructions

* STEP 1: Blow up the balloon, let some air out, and then tie a knot at the end to hold the air inside the balloon.

* STEP 2: Dip the tip of the skewer into the cooking oil.

* STEP 3: Gently twist the skewer into the thick end of the balloon, opposite the knot. Continue to slowly push the skewer through the balloon until you push the skewer through the thick part near the knotted end of the balloon and stop.

Explanation

The balloon is made up of polymers. These polymer strands seal up around the skewer, keeping the air from escaping. Once you pull the skewer out of the balloon, the air will rush out.

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