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======Needle Through A Balloon======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Categories:** {{$demo.categories}}
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**Alternative titles:** Pin The Balloon
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====Summary====                   
{{$demo.summary}}


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/* PROCEDURE - Optional                                                                                */
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====Procedure====  
  - Inflate a balloon until it is about three-quarters full and tie it securely.  
  - Place a small piece of clear tape on the balloon, smoothing it down without air bubbles.  
  - Carefully push a sharp needle through the taped area of the balloon.  
  - Observe that the balloon does not pop, as the tape holds the elastic molecules together.


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====Links==== 
Pin The Balloon! - Mr. Wizard's Supermarket Science: 
{{youtube>Bkwzkc_vsIE?}}\\
📄 How do you put a Needle Through a Balloon Without Popping - Go Science Girls: [[https://gosciencegirls.com/needle-through-a-balloon-without-popping/]]\\
🎞️ Description or Video title - Author: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kou7ur5xt_4]]\\


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====Variations====
  * Dip the needle in vegetable oil before inserting it to make piercing smoother.  
  * Insert multiple needles to test how much stress the balloon can withstand.
  * A needle can also be put through the thick ends of a balloon without the need for tape.


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====Safety Precautions====
  * Handle needles carefully to avoid injury.  
  * Keep balloons and sharp objects away from small children without supervision.  
  * Be aware that failed attempts may cause loud pops that can startle or damage hearing at close range—consider ear protection for sensitive participants.  
  * Dispose of broken balloon pieces promptly to avoid choking hazards.


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====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does a balloon normally pop when pierced by a needle?  
  * What role does the tape play in preventing the balloon from popping?  
  * How do polymers in the balloon’s rubber respond to stress and stretching?  
  * Why do certain areas of the balloon (like the tied end) resist popping better than others?  
  * What happens if there are air pockets between the tape and the balloon?


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