How to Get Steam Into a Balloon

Steam can be harnessed for a variety of uses.

Steam is the gaseous form of water; a vapor formed when water boils. Steam has been used to power trains, sterilize soil, generate electricity and even inflate hot-air balloons. It is also a vital element in the creation of popcorn. Understanding how steam works is important in understanding many chemical and engineering concepts. Experimenting with steam by filling a balloon with it helps students understand how water becomes gas and gas becomes water.

Things You'll Need

• Test tube or beaker
• Bunsen burner
• Ring stand
• Safety goggles
• Safety shield
• Water
• Pot
• Stove
• Oven mitts
• Party balloons

Instructions

1. Fill a test tube or beaker will two to three ounces of water. The test tube should be no more than half way full.

2. Place the test tube or beaker in a ring stand over a Bunsen burner or alcohol stove. If you do not have a ring stand, Bunsen burner or alcohol stove, consider using the double boiler method. To use the double boiler method, place the beaker in a pot and fill the pot with enough water so that the water line of the beaker coincides with the water line of the pot. Place the pot on a stove and bring the water in the pot to a boil. The double boiler method will not work with test tubes due to their rounded bottom.

3. Blow up three or four party balloons several times each to loosen the plastic. You need only one balloon for the experiment, but it's good to have a back-up in case the first balloon tears during the process.

4. Bring the water in the test tube or beaker to a boil.

5. Remove the test tube or beaker from the heat source. If you are using a Bunsen burner or alcohol stove, simply turn off the flame. If you are using a double boiler, remove the beaker from the pot of boiling water, using oven mitts, and set it on a heat resistant surface.

6. Stretch the opening of a balloon over the mouth of the test tube or beaker. If the opening of the balloon tears, use one of your spare balloons. The seal should be snug.

7. Sit back and observe what happens to the balloon.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety goggles when performing the experiment and use a safety shield if available. The balloon can pop and the steam and condensation expelled is very hot and can cause burns.

• As condensation occurs within the steam-filled balloon, the balloon will sag. If the sagging balloon touches the hot glass of the test tube or beaker, it may burst.

References

• Home Science Tools: Why Does Popcorn Pop?
• Mr. Guch's Cavalcade o' Chemistry; Free Labs!; Ian Guch
• Mr. Guch's Cavalcade o' Chemistry; The Exploding Balloon; Ian Guch; June 2000

Resources

• Flying Kettle; Steam Balloons and Steam Airships; Thomas J. Goodey
• Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway