Pop! Goes the Balloon (Katie Robinson)

Author

Katie Robinson

Principle(s) Illustrated

• Light and heat energy are responsible for many things here on Earth. As energy enters a system, it can be changed into other forms of energy. Therefore, the properties of the matter that is interacting with the form of energy will have an impact on the outcome. In this event, students are asked to make predictions and observe the outcome of which balloon will be impacted by the focused light and heat from the magnifying glass of the sun rays.

Standards

• NGSS Science & engineering standards

  • • • 2. Developing and using models

        • 3. Planning and carrying out investigations

        • 4. Analyzing and interpreting data

• NGSS Cross-cutting concept standards

  • • • 2. Cause and effect: Mechanism and explanation

        • 4. Systems and system models

        • 5. Energy and matter: Flows, cycles, and conservation

        • 7. Stability and change

• NGSS Disciplinary core idea standards

Questioning Script

Prior knowledge & experience:

Gas is a state of matter. It fills up the container in which it placed.

Earth has an atmosphere that makes our planet habitable by allowing various gases to interact.

Root question:

Why does the dark colored balloon pop but not the transparent?

Target response:

The transparent balloon allows light and heat to pass through the balloon. This is similar to when you are looking through windows. The dark balloon absorbs the light and heat. (it is not reflecting any of it). As it is absorbing the light, the energy (as heat) which causes the gas particles inside the dark balloon to move faster and expand. Eventually the dark balloon can not contain the gas and it explodes while the transparent balloon remains intact.

Common Misconceptions:

• Only a fully blown up balloon will pop.

• Particles in matter are stationary.

• Color does not impact the ability of energy to interact with the object.

Photographs and Movies

References

Steve Spangler Science - Mystery Balloon Pop