Exploding Hydrogen Balloons

Andy and Sean test out a variety of hydrogen balloons in the Ri Lecture Theatre - all in a day's work when you're preparing for the Christmas Lectures.

[Jitterbug]

The exciting thing about hydrogen balloons is that if the humidity is low, you can get static electricity sparks and they can blow up unexpectedly at any time.

[OO]

That would be awesome target practice for a bow and flaming arrow

[TheRoyalInstitution]

Andy and Sean are in charge of sourcing science demos for the Christmas Lectures - this year on the subject of Chemistry.

[Woody]

Why does the name HINDENBURG suddenly pop into my head.

[CombraStudios]

I was also surprised when I saw the power of balloon filled with hydrogen-oxygen mixture

[MH-upxe]

That clapping at the end triggered me.

[Steven-bd]

And that's why helium is used in balloons.

[christoronto]

The Royal Institution looks like an amazing place!

[r.sanyasinaidu]

I am surprised that there is no fire alarm in the institute

[Peter_]

Hey, I remember this place from a few of Matt Parker's talks about math.

[marineninga]

Now imagine sitting ontop of a massive one travelling at 100 miles an hour... 

[Rustbox]

Fill two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen, redo experiment, profit

[ameteuraspirant]

that's the answer for everything, you know.

[sriharshacv]

RIp those with ideas that Helium could be safely replaced by Hydrogen in airships.

[shodanxx]

What is it like to blow up a 8 ft hydrogen filled weather balloon ?
I'm planning to have a continuously re-filled tethered hydrogen balloon and I'm curious about the safety implications during launch.

Would it be strong enough to blow nearby windows from houses ?

Or maybe the oxygen wouldn't really mix quickly enough and this would be more of a deflagration than an explosion.

[FIGHTINGGAMER]

I seen my teacher do something like this but what he did is he did it kind of like putting a balloon over a bottle with vinegar and baking soda but when he did his he lit it while it was expanding and it blew up and flames came out kind of light this how did he do it

[baco]

That's extremely dangerous: In some countries you couldn't use a camera, or mobile phones, or even just watches, in the same area.

[sirdeadless]

I did this by reacting zinc and and HCl in a conical flask, with a balloon
over the top

[therealgamer]

Hi ! Quick question, 2H2 + O2 ---> 2H2O
So water is formed but it is in a gas form due to the immense heat so the water is vapour that went up???

[chanjack]

WOW. i cannot do this experience since its too dangerous.
but now i can see it, thx. your way to explode hydrogen is safe too !
give u a like