Balloon Science Tricks

Utilizing air pressure, static electricity, and the properties of polymers, here are a few very fun science tricks you can do to amaze your friends!

You will need:
Balloons, Styrofoam balls, wood skewer, vegetable oil 2-L plastic bottle, glass soda bottle

Now try this:

1. Locate the two areas on a balloon that have the greatest amount of the latex (the area the balloon is tied and the area directly across). Dip a wood skewer into the oil and now pierce the balloon through these two locations on the balloon. You have success if the balloon doesn't pop.

2. Rub a balloon on your head or on a piece of wool. Now lift balloon off your head or place it on a wall. Also place the balloon near small Styrofoam balls. You have success when the balloon causes your hair or the Styrofoam balls to "stick" or repel or "stick" to the wall. Also try placing the balloon near a small stream of water and you will see the water "bend".

3. Pierce a hole in the bottom of a clean, dry 2-L plastic bottle. Place a balloon into the bottle and seal it around the rim of the bottle. Cover the hole with your hand and attempt to inflate the balloon in the bottle (you wont be able to). Then uncover the hole and inflate the balloon in the bottle (you will be able to).

4. Carefully place a small amount of hot water into a glass soda bottle. Seal a balloon around the rim of the bottle. Now place the bottle with the balloon attached into a cold water bath (water and ice). As the water (and air) inside the bottle cools, the balloon will "magically" be sucked into the bottle.

Explanation:
The balloon can be pierced without popping by utilizing the properties and behaviors of the latex (polymers-large molecules). Picking the areas the contain the most latex (the least amount of stretching occurs) allows for the skewer to pass with out "tearing" the molecules apart, these molecules that are linked together. The oil has an attraction for these latex polymers.
When you rub a balloon on your head or on a piece of wool you are giving the balloon an electric charge (putting electrons on the balloon). Different objects have an attraction or repulsion for this now charged balloon.
You cannot inflate a balloon inside a bottle that is sealed because of the air in the bottle causing air pressure. Having a hole in the bottle removes the air, thus removes the air pressure.
Cooling the air inside a bottle causes the air molecules (gases) to decrease in volume, thus causing the balloon to be sucked into the bottle.