I was thinking of with electricity as this would not need acid and be safer
2006-09-08 21:51:03 · 11 answers · asked by bwadsp 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
To buy helium is not practical for small quantities
2006-09-08 21:56:17 · update #1
Practical but not very productive!
You need a U shaped tube with electrodes under each arm of the U so gas generated at each electrode rises into the top of that arm of the U. Fill the tube with dilute vinegar to allow conduction.
A tap at the top of one U will let out oxygen, the other hydrogen. By connecting the hydrogen arm to a well sealed bike pump you should be able to fill it with hydrogen and then squirt it into a balloon.
BUT how many hours have you got for each balloon!! Generation is awfully slow.
RoyS
2006-09-08 23:15:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why not just buy helium? It's safer ... hydrogen is highly flammable (remember the Hindenberg!)
Lots of party stores sell small quantities of helium specifically for filling balloons ...
2006-09-08 21:56:28 · answer #2 · answered by Kleineganz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hydrogen is a great idea if you're a pyromaniac, but please don't use it around anyone else as the balloons are likely to create more than a little bang. If you want the balloons to rise then use helium but don't breathe it in as you can damage your voice box permanently.
2006-09-10 10:46:22 · answer #3 · answered by solareclipse101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Filling ballons with hydrogen is a very good way to accidently blow yourself up. Don't do it, it's not safe. Stick with Helium. Better to buy more Helium than you need than kill yourself or your kids.
2006-09-09 05:45:34 · answer #4 · answered by Ellie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
<>There is some info here, although it sounds complicated and messy: http://www.scitoys.com/board/messages/1/118.html
I remember doing it with a coke bottle (old-style thick glass bottle), hydrochloric acid (not sure about the availability of this today...you might try a scientific supply company like Edmund) and mossy zinc (also scientific supply, although you could probably use old battery casings (C, D, AA)). It was not messy at all; you just have to be careful pouring the acid.
2006-09-08 22:01:14 · answer #5 · answered by druid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What are you taking?
Please get your medication changed.
Hydrogen is not suitable for toy balloons.
Use Helium or hot air.
2006-09-09 03:37:36 · answer #6 · answered by NEIL C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
please don't do it id hate for you to blow up your house but ill tell you anyway but don't say you haven't been warned. you would need to electrolyse water. basically this means 2 electrolytes one positive and one negative in water.turn it on and you get hydrogen given off at one and oxygen at the other however this is painfully slow unless you use high voltages and requires some specialised equipment to collect efficiently. once you have invested in said equipment you could probably have purchased the helium for the same cost without needing to risk electrocuting yourself or burning your home down.
2006-09-09 08:46:23 · answer #7 · answered by narglar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hydrogen is not a very wise choice of gas to fill toys is is highly flamable.
try helium
2006-09-09 00:23:35 · answer #8 · answered by ck12321212 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Helium would be a better choice as it isnt HIGHLY flammable!
What are you trying to do torch the place?
It seems like you are putting cost and convenience ahead of safety. You bad bad man!
2006-09-08 21:55:06 · answer #9 · answered by 'Dr Greene' 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, when I was I kid I used zinc with dilute hydrochloric acid.
2006-09-09 09:59:51 · answer #10 · answered by Frank M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋