2006-10-19 11:41:53 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
I doubt they'll sell it to you, it's pretty explosive...Helium is at least inert, plus it does funny things to your vocal cords.
2006-10-19 11:45:26 · answer #1 · answered by Carson 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could probably buy hydrogen from a welding supply outlet, or from an industrial gas supply company. Hydrogen is not better than helium for filling balloons because it is HIGHLY flamable. Also, the helium that's used for filling balloons isn't pure helium. It's mixed with oxygen.
Hydrogen will probably leak through the balloon faster as it's a smaller atom. The balloon may not stay inflated as long.
2006-10-19 11:47:05 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hydrogen is cheaper, helium is safer. I would definitely use helium!
(And for all of you laughing about using hydrogen in balloons: hydrogen is still used for weather balloons in many countries, including the U.S.A., Canada, and several countries in Europe.)
2006-10-19 21:30:40 · answer #3 · answered by Barret 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well in any large city, their is usualy a liquid air supply facility or a liquid carbonic facility that might have this.
and yes protium (the first isotope of hydrogen) has slightly greater lift, and does not permeate through material as helium does because of the diatomic nature of protium. however it is flamible, as illustrated by the airship hindenberg disaster. so it is not sutible for criticial scientific instruments, or human transportaion. and using it for filling baloons, economicly it would be cheaper. but the flamibility, factor might want to make you to reconsider this as a viable option. so the safety factor most likely outweights the other overwealming advantages. you can also produce hydrogen, with sodium hydroxide solution and aluminum. will rapidly generate hydrogen gas, but you need to dry the mosture generated with a condenser and dessicant for maximum efficiency. i made some serious weather type balloons as a child using this technique, to give rockets using magnesium powder and potassium chlorate fuels for ufo special effects.
2006-10-19 12:09:38 · answer #4 · answered by yehoshooa adam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In agreeing with the previous four answers, I suggest you read up on the Hindenberg disaster as to why hydrogen is bad.
2006-10-19 11:46:30 · answer #5 · answered by Professor Beatz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stick with helium!
2006-10-19 11:44:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hydrogen would be hugely dangerous to put in ballons, as it is extremely flammable, whereas helium is not
2006-10-19 11:43:24 · answer #7 · answered by lowflyer1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Better" as in produces more lift -- yes.
But it's flammable as all getout, and dangerous to work with. You need a license to purchase hydrogen gas.
2006-10-19 11:50:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
balloons weigh very little and the buoyant force acting on them is very vey small so you would need a very large amount of balloons
2016-05-22 03:22:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its highly flamable. it is dangerous.
you can produce hydrogen gas yourself... by using certain acids and metals, the reaction liberates h2 gas.
2006-10-19 11:45:55 · answer #10 · answered by raymund 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋