 |
Float on up! - Why do some balloons float and others don’t? (Experiment) |
by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author
Find out if you can get a helium balloon with a long string at the store, and then try out this experiment!
Collect a few different things to tie to the end of the string on your floating helium balloon. Think about stuff like a bag of coins, small toys, empty cans and bottles, or maybe a sock or a t-shirt.
Tie different items around the end of your balloon, and then study which of them the balloon is able to lift up! Make sure you try this experiment indoors, so that you can have a grown-up on a step-ladder help you retrieve the balloon after each try. (If you did it outside, your balloon would float away!)
What do you notice about the things that the balloon can “carry” and the things that it cannot? Does it seem to be related to shape? Texture? Color? Weight??