IntroductionIntroduction

The following experiment shows how water can absorb and conduct heat from a candle flame, and prevent a balloon from bursting.

MaterialsMaterials

2 Balloons

Water

Candle

Lighter

ProcessProcess

First, I blew up a balloon and held it over a lit candle.

WHAT HAPPENED ?!?!?!?!?!?!

ProcessProcess

Next, I took the other balloon and filled it halfway with water and the other half with air. Once again, I placed the balloon over the candle flame.

WHAT HAPPENED?!?!?!?!?!?

ConclusionConclusion

In the first step, the balloon exploded since the fire burned the balloon

In the second step however, the balloon was actually touching the fire and it did not BREAK!

Water is very good at soaking up heat. Because the balloon is very thin, heat energy passes through it quickly (conduction) heating the water on the inside. As the water near the flame starts to get hot, it rises, letting cooler water take its place to soak up more heat. This process lets the water balloon absorb a tremendous amount of heat without popping. The black stuff on the balloon is the element carbon. It did not come from the balloon. Instead, it was deposited by the candle flame. The balloon had not been burned or damaged.