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Heat: Transfer of Thermal Energy Activity for Kids

Heat Resistant Balloon DIY

  • Duration: 10-15 min
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cost: $0 to $5

Learn how to heat a balloon without popping it!

Visit The Full Lesson Download Instructions as PDF

Material List

  • 2Latex Balloons
  • 1Candle
  • 1Glass of Water
  • Adult Supervision
  • Avoid activity if you have latex allergies

Instructions

  • 1Blow up a balloon and with adult supervision, place it over the lit candle. It will pop.
  • 2Into the second balloon, pour about 1/4 cup of water into it, then blow it up.
  • 3Carefully, heat the part of the balloon with the water in it.

How It Works

The first time you tried to place the balloon over the candle, it popped. The latex melted due to the transfer of thermal energy from the flame to the latex. When you put the water-filled balloon over the candle, it didn't pop. This is because water can absorb a lot of the thermal energy from the flame, with only small changes in temperature. Since the water absorbs the thermal energy, the latex doesn’t melt. No melting, no popping!

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Check out the Full Lesson on Heat: Transfer of Thermal Energy

In this lesson, we learn that:

  • Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from one object to another.
  • Heating can occur by conduction, convection and radiation.
  • Some materials can store more thermal energy than others.

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