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Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Blow Up a Balloon with Warm Air Science Experiment

Blow Up a Balloon with Warm Air Science Experiment

Published: Mar 18, 2024 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

This simple science experiment and demonstration is a great way to show children what happens to gases when they are heated.

The air around us is an example of a gas. Particles in a gas can move freely in any direction. Gases don’t have a fixed shape but fill the space they have.

When a bottle with a balloon on top is placed in hot water, the air inside warms up. Warm air particles move faster and with more energy than cooler air particles, increasing the volume of the air and inflating the balloon.

Hot and cold air balloon experiment

You’ll need

One empty 500ml plastic bottle

A balloon

Two bowls

Hot water and cold water

A bowl of hot water and a bowl of cold water for a science experiment. A plastic bottle with a balloon on top is in the hot water bowl. the balloon is slightly inflated.

Instructions

Carefully place the balloon over the bottle opening. Check for holes. The balloon needs to be airtight.

Carefully half-fill one bowl with cold water and one bowl with hot water.

Place the bottle in the hot water bowl and watch as the balloon fills with air.

Transfer the bottle to the cold water bowl and watch as the balloon deflates.

A plastic bottle with a balloon on top. The balloon is slightly inflated
A plastic bottle with a balloon on top in a bowl of cold water. The balloon is deflated

Investigation ideas

Experiment with different water temperatures and record how long it takes for the balloon to inflate at each temperature. For this to be a fair test, you’ll need to make sure the air inside the bottle is at room temperature before placing it in each bowl of water.

Investigate to find out how long the balloon takes to deflate after being in different temperature waters for the same amount of time.

Why does the balloon blow up?

Placing the balloon over the top of the bottle traps the air inside. When the bottle is placed in hot water, the air inside heats up. Warm air molecules move faster than cooler air molecules. The warm, faster moving air expands and moves into the balloon, inflating it. The volume of the air in the bottle increases as it heats up.

As the air cools, the air molecules start to move more slowly and closer together. This means they take up less space, the volume decreases, and the balloon deflates.

Fun facts about air

The air we breathe contains about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases such as carbon dioxide, argon, neon, and methane.

Humidity is the amount of water air can hold before it rains.

Air pressure is the pressure is the pressure of air pushing down on the Earth’s surface.

The air around us also carries small particles of dust, pollen and pollutants from car exhausts and other sources.

We need air to breathe!

Blow up a balloon with hot air science experiment
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Last Updated on March 19, 2024 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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