A balloon deflates when it is pierced because the air pressure inside the balloon is higher than the pressure outside. When pierced, the pressurized air escapes quickly, causing the balloon to deflate.
A inflated balloon has an internal pressure greater than the external pressure. This is because the air inside pushes against the walls in all directions, putting them under tension. However, the material of the balloon, due to its elasticity, offers resistance in the opposite direction. As a result, the forces inside (the compressed air pushing out) and those outside (the elasticity of the walls pushing in) perfectly balance each other as long as the balloon remains intact. As long as this balance exists, the balloon retains its round and firm shape.
A inflated balloon is constantly under tension because its material, usually rubber or latex, tends to return to its original shape. This material has a key property: its elasticity. When you inflate it, the walls stretch, exerting a restoring force towards their original shape, just like a rubber band that you have stretched. The more you inflate the balloon, the more its surface tightens and the greater the surface tension increases. This explains why, when you poke a hole, the air escapes immediately and quickly: the elastic walls are trying to return to their initial position by pushing the air out.
When a balloon is punctured, a brutal difference in pressure occurs immediately. Before the hole, the interior was in equilibrium, with compressed air pushing against the elastic walls of the balloon. Once punctured, the air inside, where the pressure is high, rushes spontaneously outward, where the pressure is lower and equal to that of the atmosphere (atmospheric pressure). This imbalance forces the air to rush quickly toward the opening, resulting in the immediate deflation of the balloon. The larger the hole, the faster this pressure difference equilibrates, further accelerating the rate at which the air escapes.
When the balloon is punctured, the pressurized air inside rushes out through the opening. This air moves from an area of high pressure (inside) to an area of low pressure (outside). This phenomenon creates a fast airflow that can often be felt with your fingers near the hole. The larger the hole, the greater the airflow escaping, and the faster the balloon deflates. A characteristic whistling sound is typically heard, caused by the turbulence of the air rushing out at high speed.
When you puncture an inflated balloon, the air escapes quickly through the opening formed, often producing a characteristic whistling sound. The balloon then shrinks, rapidly losing its initially full and taut shape. It becomes soft, flabby and shrivels as its covering returns to a relaxed state. Its surface, previously smooth, now appears wrinkled and shows marked creases. If the puncture is large or if the balloon was very inflated, the air will exit with such force that the balloon could even be suddenly propelled across the room.
A latex balloon naturally loses its gas gradually because latex is porous. Air or helium slowly passes through the tiny pores of the material over time.
The characteristic sound produced by a balloon quickly deflating comes from the rapid vibrations of the expelled air and the elastic walls of the balloon material.
A helium-filled balloon floats because this gas is less dense than the surrounding air, unlike regular air, which does not allow the balloon to rise.
If an inflated balloon is placed in a cold environment, it will appear to deflate slightly. This is explained by the thermal contraction of the gas inside, caused by the drop in temperature.
The noise comes from the vibrations created by the rapid flow of pressurized air exiting through the narrow opening of the balloon. These turbulences generate sound waves that are perceivable as a whistle or a high-pitched and amusing noise.
Yes, temporarily. If the opening is small, quickly covering it with adhesive tape or another temporary obstruction method can help slow down or temporarily stop the deflation. However, the effectiveness will depend on the size of the hole and the material of the balloon.
When a balloon is inflated beyond its maximum elasticity, its wall becomes excessively stretched, reaching the breaking point of the material. At this stage, even a slight increase in air can cause it to burst, resulting in a sudden pop.
The deflation speed of a balloon depends on the material used, its elasticity, and the size of the opening created. A thin latex balloon will generally deflate more quickly than a thicker mylar or aluminum balloon, which has better sealing properties.
Sure! Here’s the translation: "Yes, as altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases. This enlarges the difference between the internal pressure of the balloon and the external pressure, thus accelerating the deflation rate when an opening appears."
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