Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: David Cooper on 28/07/2013 20:08:00

Title: Two hydrogen-filled balloon burning questions
Post by: David Cooper on 28/07/2013 20:08:00

(1) Do you get a bigger bang with a balloon filled with hydrogen (inside a room filled with air) or with a balloon of the same size containing two thirds as much hydrogen and with oxygen making up the difference.

(2) What percentage of the hydrogen typically gets converted to water in the process (in both the above cases).

Title: Re: Two hydrogen-filled balloon burning questions
Post by: Bored chemist on 28/07/2013 20:31:17

If you premix the hydrogen and oxygen you get a much louder bang. Seriously- wear ear defenders.

My best guess is that practically all the hydrogen burns in each case, but much faster (and probably slightly more completely)  if the gases are already mixed.

Title: Re: Two hydrogen-filled balloon burning questions
Post by: David Cooper on 30/07/2013 19:08:02

Thanks. Feel free to delete this thread if you think it contains dangerous knowledge.