======Hydrogen Balloon Explosion======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** Hydrogen vs. Helium Combustion
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Fill one balloon with helium and another with hydrogen.  
  - Darken the room slightly for dramatic effect.  
  - Attach a lit candle to the end of a yardstick to maintain a safe distance.  
  - Touch the candle flame to the helium balloon. Observe that it pops but does not react with oxygen.  
  - Repeat with the hydrogen balloon. The balloon explodes violently with flame and sound.



====Links==== 
Hydrogen vs. Helium Balloon Experiment | Explosion of the Week - Scitech WA: 
{{youtube>yMqYQKMmd3U?}}\\

Exploding Hydrogen Balloons - The Royal Institution: 
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📄 Combustion – H2 and He Balloon Explosion - University of Colorado Boulder: [[https://www.colorado.edu/lab/lecture-demo-manual/general-reactions/s140-chemical-rxns-combustion-h2-and-he-balloon-explosions]]\\


====Variations====
  * Use different balloon sizes to compare explosion intensity.  
  * Record the reaction with a slow-motion camera for classroom replay.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Wear ear protection to prevent hearing damage, especially in small rooms.  
  * Keep observers at a safe distance.  
  * Do not ignite the balloon’s string — only the gas.  
  * Use small to medium balloons to limit the explosion size.  
  * Ensure fire safety measures are in place (extinguisher nearby).




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does helium not react when ignited? (Helium is an inert noble gas and does not burn.)  
  * Why does hydrogen explode with a loud bang? (Hydrogen reacts rapidly with oxygen in the air to form water vapor, releasing a large amount of energy.)  
  * What is the balanced equation for hydrogen combustion? (2H2 + O2 → 2H2O)  
  * How does balloon size affect the sound and flame of the explosion?  
  * Why is hydrogen considered both useful (fuel) and dangerous?