1. Balloon lowered over open flame – Balloon pops. Why? (candle heat burns rubber)
2. Balloon with a bit of water inside, lowered onto candle. Count to 5. (Balloon doesn’t pop)
Why? (water absorbs heat, preventing heat from burning rubber)
3. Lower balloon onto candle flame. – Flame goes out. Why? (balloon seals candle, robs it of
oxygen.
4. Bonus experiment: Lift balloon and it lifts the candle. Why? (created a vacuum because the
candle pushed air molecules away and the difference between atmospheric pressure and the
low inside candle air pressure loses the battle between outside pressure and inside pressure.
Also… remember surface tension
Materials:
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Candle
Cup of Water
Balloons
Paper Clips
Lighter
Plate
Goggles
Lab coat