Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: neilep on 19/01/2009 18:56:55

Title: Why Did The Balloon Just "Pop" By Itself ?
Post by: neilep on 19/01/2009 18:56:55
Dearest Balloonologists and Blowers & Bursters of Balloons ,


As a Sheepy Balloon, I of course just love getting blown  [;D] [;D]...but I hope that what appears in the picture below does not happen to me !!


The Scene of The Crime

 [ Invalid Attachment ]


Unless there is a needle wielding poltergeist in my house I can not explain why this balloon should just pop !!....It has been happily existing in the house for a week !!

Can ewe explain why a balloon should just pop all by itself ?...


Ewe see *sheepy put hands on your shoulders*..I just don't know !!

I want to know..I really do !!

Hope ewe can assist me with my balloon popping enquiry !

Thanks




Neil
Ewe Raise Me Up
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Title: Why Did The Balloon Just "Pop" By Itself ?
Post by: lyner on 19/01/2009 20:54:50
There's a lot of energy stored in the stretched membrane. Any small fault or weakness can develop in the material (cheap and cheerful production) the stress gets localised and the failure is catastrophic - it can't deflate gently.
Title: Why Did The Balloon Just "Pop" By Itself ?
Post by: neilep on 19/01/2009 21:21:59
Quote from: sophiecentaur on 19/01/2009 20:54:50
There's a lot of energy stored in the stretched membrane. Any small fault or weakness can develop in the material (cheap and cheerful production) the stress gets localised and the failure is catastrophic - it can't deflate gently.

Thank ewe Sophiecentaur. Are ewe suggesting that I would be economical with my kids by buying el cheapo balloons !! ?...



yeah...you're right !!


So, a simple flaw that just caved in to the elasticity of it all eh ?

I must have paid a whole £1 for that pack of thirty !
Title: Why Did The Balloon Just "Pop" By Itself ?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 19/01/2009 21:37:59
After a while the membrane becomes stiff and is not as elastic as it used to be so it goes 'POP'
Title: Why Did The Balloon Just "Pop" By Itself ?
Post by: neilep on 19/01/2009 22:02:46
Quote from: Chemistry4me on 19/01/2009 21:37:59
After a while the membrane becomes stiff and is not as elastic as it used to be so it goes 'POP'

Thank ewe very much Chemistry4me. This adds and corroborates Sophies answer !..It's just that I've never had a balloon self destruct on me before. It must have been depressed !...now it's just deflated !!

chortle


guffaw
Title: Why Did The Balloon Just "Pop" By Itself ?
Post by: lyner on 19/01/2009 22:20:28
Quote
I must have paid a whole £1 for that pack of thirty !
You're so good to those kids. I hope they appreciate it.
Title: Why Did The Balloon Just "Pop" By Itself ?
Post by: RD on 20/01/2009 09:04:10
An increase in room temperature, increasing the pressure in the balloon, may have been the final straw.

(Central heating causing the room temperature to oscillate may have progressively weakened the rubber,
 cf. repeatedly bending something back and forth until it snaps).