2006-08-12 08:38:52 · 37 answers · asked by ALAN B 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
If you mean using your mouth and lungs, it is possible, but more difficult than normal because the water pressure pushing in on the balloon is much higher than air pressure. If you used an electric pump you could definitely do it.
In fact if you consider a "lifting bag" to be a balloon then it is a pretty common event.
A lifting bag is an item of diving equipment consisting of a robust and air-tight bag with strops, which is used to lift heavy objects underwater by means of the bag's buoyancy. The heavy object can either be moved horizontally underwater by the diver or sent unaccompanied to the surface.
The volume of the bag determines its lifting capacity: a 100 litre / 4 cubic feet bag can lift a 100 kg / 220 pound underwater object.
The shape of the bag should distribute the volume in a vertical rather than a horizontal direction so that the open end of the bag always remains underwater. If the open end reaches the surface, air will escape from the bag and it may re-descend. A partially filled bag will accelerate as it ascends because the air in the bag expands as the pressure reduces on the ascent, following Boyles law, increasing the bag's buoyancy.
Boyle's Law states that the product of the volume and pressure of a fixed quantity of an ideal gas is constant, given constant temperature.
2006-08-12 08:51:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
remember that air compresses under the pressure of water. As you get deeper, water pressure increases and compresses the air in volatile containers (such as a balloon - or your lungs!)
If you blew up a balloon under water, you would be best advised to not use your own lungs to do it. Using your own lungs could cause difficulites (depending on the situation and the depth...)
filling it from an air tank is possible if there is room for the air to enter and any water inside the balloon to escape. But if you fill it under some pressure, it would get bigger as you ascend and the pressure lessens. (Basically the pressure increases by 1 atmosphere - the weight of the atmosphere at sea level for every 10 metres that you descend). So, depending on how much air you put in, it could burst before it reaches the surface!
2006-08-12 12:19:13 · answer #2 · answered by Colin A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what exactly you're asking. If you're asking is it technically possible for a balloon to be inflated under water, yes, obviously. If you're asking does the average human have sufficient lung power to inflate a balloon under water, i'm guessing probably not.
2006-08-12 12:41:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No try filling a glass then put a balloon in it and attempt to blow it up! This was in my 9 year old daughters discovery magazine!
2006-08-12 08:44:43 · answer #4 · answered by camshy0078 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe if you use a balloon pump. The particles in a liquid can move so they would allow the balloon to expand but the balloon would start to float upwards to the surface.
2006-08-12 08:44:39 · answer #5 · answered by weegleajeems 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dead Easy.
Balance a basin of water on your head, then blow up the balloon.
2006-08-12 11:49:08 · answer #6 · answered by Student 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but it's harder because of the water pressure acting on the balloon.
2006-08-12 08:50:04 · answer #7 · answered by M14forever 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you take a big breath before you go under water and blow it into the baloon then you can.
2006-08-12 08:47:15 · answer #8 · answered by Bob Chaves 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. I asked my husband who was a scuba instructor, he says with a tank, yes! But, the deeper you go, the more air and more pressure needed to blow it up.
2006-08-12 08:47:46 · answer #9 · answered by BabyRN 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is SUCH a cool question! I don't know, I suppose you can, but it's best to buy a balloon, fill the tub and give it a try. Wow, this really is a MythBusters question, congratulations!
2006-08-12 08:41:58 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋