There are a lot of science experiments you can do with the help of your freezer. You can make instant ice, fake snow, and more by using your freezer. Have you ever wondered what happens if you put a balloon in the freezer?
Putting a balloon in the freezer makes for an exciting science experiment that people of all ages will find interesting. It's easy to do, and you can get balloons for the experiment at most stores.
Yes! You can put a balloon in the freezer. While it may seem odd, it's a famous science experiment that Science Buddies elaborates on in further detail if you want to see what happens if you put a balloon in the freezer.
It's great for kids and adults, and it doesn't take very long to complete. So if you're looking for a great science experiment for the science fair or a slightly different family activity, this is a fun and interesting one.
When you blow up a latex balloon, you're blowing hot air into it. Once you place your hot air balloon in the freezer, you'll want to leave it in there for about 45 minutes. This period will give the science experiment enough time to deliver results.
Once you open the freezer door and look at the frozen balloon, you may notice that it shrank. The balloon shrinks because the gas molecules' kinetic energy inside the balloon decreases as they sit in colder temperatures. This reaction happens whether you use air or helium.
According to the ideal gas law, there will be less frequent collisions of the gas molecules with the balloon wall and at a much slower rate. Less frequent and slower crashes contribute to the balloon shrinking in the freezer.
Air inside the balloon will contract in a freezer
The ideal gas law is what causes the reaction that happens when you put an air-filled balloon in the freezer. Gasses consist of billions of air molecules that collide and interact with each other.
An ideal gas is a concept people developed to describe real gas. This helps estimate and predict the behavior of real gasses. The ideal gas law refers to various rules:
When the atmospheric pressure or constant pressure (also known as constant p) from the temperature is too low, it causes these molecules to slow down and stop expanding.
Just as you can put an air-filled balloon in your freezer, you can also experiment by placing a water balloon in it. However, unlike when you place an air balloon in the freezer, the water inside will freeze and create a frozen balloon.
Water frozen inside a balloon
When you place a water balloon in your freezer, the results will depend on the type of water you use and how much water you add to the balloon. Regardless of the temperature of the water you use in the balloon, you'll want to make sure you don't fill it up too much.
Since water expands as it freezes, you'll run the risk of the balloon popping while in the freezer if you overfill the balloon with water. If it pops before it's completely frozen, you won't get a solid ice ball like you usually would.
When you use cold water and don't fill it up too much, you'll get a balloon with crystalized ice inside. Some people refer to this as an ice balloon. You can cut the latex off the balloon once it's frozen to reveal these fun ice spheres.
Are you wondering what will happen if you put hot water inside a balloon and freeze it? Water has a high heat capacity and will absorb much of the heat, which will prevent the balloon from bursting. When you put a balloon with hot water in the freezer, it will merely take longer for the water to freeze completely.
The cold temperatures of the refrigerator will cause the molecules inside the balloon to shrink, but it will take much longer than if you use the freezer. Since the temperature difference between a freezer and a fridge is quite different, the balloon won't shrink nearly as fast.
As for water balloons in the fridge, you shouldn't expect the water inside to freeze. The temperature of refrigerators isn't cold enough to cause the water balloon to freeze. It will keep the water inside cool, though.
If placing a balloon in the freezer with air causes it to shrink, what happens if you put liquid nitrogen inside a balloon? Since liquid nitrogen is commonly used as a coolant, it should shrink much like an air-filled balloon in the freezer.
Once inside the balloon, the liquid nitrogen turns into a gas and expands. While it's true that the balloon will expand due to the gas, once you place it inside the cold temperature of your freezer, it will begin to shrink, much like the ideal gas law shrinks an air-filled balloon.
