Online Homeschool– Magic Balloon

This is one of the best online homeschool projects for students that are fascinated by magic and currently learning about physics, chemistry, or simply how different materials interact. By working on this online homeschool project, students will also have a really cool magic trick they can show their friends!

Materials you’ll need:
    •    Balloons (any size is fine)
    •    Long wooden or metal skewers (you may find them at the grocery store)
    •    Petroleum jelly
    •    A sharp pin
    •    Cellophane tape (probably found in any desk drawer)

Once you have your materials gathered, you’re ready to get started. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
    •    Blow up the balloon and tie it shut. The balloon doesn’t have to be too full for the project to work.
    •    Apply a small amount of Vaseline to the tip of the skewer.
    •    Spread the Vaseline along the length of the skewer.
    •    Gently insert the skewer into the balloon at the top of the balloon (opposite the knot). Twist the skewer as you insert it.
    •    Push the skewer gently through the opposite side of the balloon out of the balloon near the knot.
    •    Push the skewer into the side of the balloon.
    •    Record your observations.
    •    Place a small piece of the tape on the side of the balloon. Press it well.
    •    Pass the pin through the balloon via the tape.
    •    Record your observations.

Here are a few things you might have observed:
    •    The balloon did not pop when you inserted the skewer in the first hole or second. Why?
    •    When you attempted to stick the skewer in the side of the balloon without the tape, the balloon popped. Why?
    •    When you put the pin into the side of the balloon through the skewer, the balloon did not pop. Why?

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Here are a few explanations that may help you to understand what you’ve observed through this experiment:

    •    The balloon is made of rubber. Rubber is made of a series of long molecules called polymers. Those long molecules stick together in links (kind of like spaghetti noodles).
    •    When polymers attach chemically, the process is called “cross-linking.”
    •    When molecules are polymers, they are able to stretch…but only so far.
    •    When there is tension pulling on the cross-links of the polymers, they will break and the polymers will separate.
    •    With regards to the balloon, the rubber is stretched further on the sides than at the top or bottom. You might notice that the rubber is darker on the top and bottom and lighter on the sides.
    •    When the rubber is darker, it means the rubber is less stretched. With a less stretch, there is less force already pulling on the rubber. Therefore, the skewer can break the polymer links, but enough of the cross-links stay in place to hold the balloon together.
    •    When you stick the tape to the side of the balloon, the balloon does not stretch as much. Therefore, as the pin pieces the balloon, the cross-links stay relatively in place. The balloon does not pop.

Not a bad experiment, right? You’ve learned a little about chemistry, a little about physics, and now have a really awesome magic trick to amaze your friends!