Hooked on Science: Pop a balloon with an orange

Materials

• Balloon
• Orange
• Flexible measuring tape

Instructions

• STEP 1: Inflate the balloon. Describe the balloon using its observable properties. Using the measuring tape, measure the distance around the fattest part of the balloon. Using this data, identify the balloon based on its properties.
• STEP 2: Remove the peel from the orange. Describe the peel by using its observable properties.
• STEP 3: Holding the shiny part of the orange peel toward the inflated balloon, squeeze the peel so the oil in the orange sprays on the balloon and observe. Describe the oil from the peel by using its observable properties.

Explanation

The peel of the orange contains limonene oil, which dissolves the rubber balloon, causing it to pop quickly.