Does the air escape?
2006-09-01 07:19:54 · 15 answers · asked by AxeMan 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Yes, the air escapes through tiny pores. This is particularly true with helium, because helium atoms are very very small compared with air molecules (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide etc.)
The air loss can be reduced by adding about a tablespoon of glycerin to the balloon before inflating it, then shaking the balloon after tying it off so the inside gets coated. This seals the pores and makes the balloon stay inflated much longer. The glygerin dries out inside the balloon so it doesn't splatter everywhere if the balloon pops.
Once I had a balloon from a specialty shop pop in the car, just after it was inflated. The glycerin was still wet, and it left a patch of goo on the ceiling of the car. Yuck!
2006-09-01 08:52:55 · answer #1 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The air inside the balloon is under pressure because the tension in the balloon compresses it. So if there is even the tiniest hole (such as the place where you tied it off), then air will slowly leak out, but it will not go back in due to the pressure difference. The leak will stop once the pressures are equalized.
2006-09-01 07:23:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Air does escape and it's because air is less dense than what the rubber balloon material is made of so it seeps out over time.
2006-09-01 07:22:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually air will stay in a balloon longer than helium. Helium molecules are so small that they can more easily fit through the tiny atom sized holes in the rubber.
2006-09-01 07:22:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it escapes, as much as it seems air-tight to us, air does escape from tiny holes in the balloons, a few molecules at a time!
2006-09-01 07:22:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1st let me tell u something... the reason a bollon becomes "inflated" is because the air is trying to escape, so it pushes on the walls.
and on the balloon there r microscopic holes in which the air has a way to escape... so it looses air slowly but surly.
2006-09-01 07:22:00 · answer #6 · answered by ryanisalifestyle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Rubber is a porus surface. Tiny holes are letting air out all the time.
2006-09-01 07:21:31 · answer #7 · answered by nevyn55025 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because air manage to leak out, very slowly, due to the higher pressure in the baloons. To some exyent, the air inside also get compressed. Is it not so ?
2006-09-01 07:23:25 · answer #8 · answered by jikg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, because there isn't a perfect seal to trap the air, and it leaks out gradually. it is also possible that the deformation of the material can degrade it and cause possible permeability that allows air to escape over time.
2006-09-01 07:21:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does. Especially if they are filled with Helium. Helium molecules are smaller than rubber molecules, so they get through and escape.
2006-09-01 07:21:55 · answer #10 · answered by shoelace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋