Push a skewer through a balloon

Did you know you can push a skewer through a balloon without popping it? It's another wowing science experiment that might get you and your family "Hooked on Science."

Ingredients

• Balloon
• Skewer
• Cooking oil

Instructions

STEP 1: Blow up the balloon, let some air out and then tie a knot at the end to hold the air inside the balloon.

STEP 2: Dip the tip of the skewer into the cooking oil.

STEP 3: Gently twist the skewer into the thick end of the balloon, opposite the knot. Continue to slowly push the skewer through the balloon until you push the skewer through the knotted end of the balloon and stop.

Explanation

The balloon is made up of polymers. These polymer strands seal up around the skewer, keeping the air from escaping. Once you pull the skewer out of the balloon, the air rushes out.

Jason Lindsey is a Science Outreach Educator for the Bootheel Youth Museum. Check out his Web site "Hooked On Science" at hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science. Send him your science questions at jlindsey@bootheelyouthmuseum.org. More science experiments can be found at www.semissourian.com.