Explanation

Problem 3: Non-bursting balloon

Blowing a balloon will increase the force exerted by the air

inside the balloon, causing the balloon to expand. By blowing

the balloon, it will also increase the number of gas particles in the balloon. When we blow the balloon, the polymer strands

which are found on the balloon will stretch.

Polymer strands of balloon before it was

blown

Polymer strands of balloon after it was

blown

Therefore, the sideways of the balloon have stretch to the

extend, hence, when we poke it with oily satay stick from the side, the balloon will burst as the polymer molecules could

not stretch anymore.

However, if we poke it from the upper or bottom part which have the thicker part of the balloon, the balloon will not burst as it is able to withstand the pressure caused by the satay stick. When the oily satay stick poke through the upper part and the bottom part of the balloon, the polymer strands will stretch even further, which will prevent it from bursting.

Smear the satay stick with the oil, poke using the oily satay stick on the upper part or the bottom part (either ways are

possible). With this, the balloon will not burst. Instead, the

strands will stretch and allow the stick to pass through.

Usually, the sharp end stick pierces the surface of the object more easily because the pressure exerted on the object is greater, causing the balloon to burst. However, this does not happen if we apply cooking oil on the stick.

Cooking oil has a higher density than the gas in the balloon. The cooking oil acts as lubricant, it soothes the tension created when we poke the balloon with the satay stick (prevent it from bursting)

Remove the satay stick from the opposite side of the balloon. (Must ensure to take the satay stick out from the upper part or the lower part of the balloon which have the thicker polymer strands) The balloon may lose a little air when you take out the stick from the balloon.

However, the balloon will not burst.

Sources:

• Google.com

• Youtube.com

• Stevespangler.com

• Elmhurst.edu

Done By: Vivian (Leader), Feng Ying, Mavis, Kah Lin and

Selly