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Science Concept: polymers and chemical bonds

Explanation:
The rubber in the balloon consists of many long molecules that are linked together. It's
similar to the way all of the noodles in a plate of spaghetti stick together. These long
molecules are called polymers; when molecules of a polymer are chemically attached to each
other, it is called cross-linking. These links hold the polymer molecules together and allow
them to stretchup to a point. When the force or tension pulling on the cross-links is too
great, they will break, and the polymer will pull apart. The rubber at the ends of the balloon is
stretched out less than in the middle of the balloon. Therefore, there is less force pulling on it.
This allows the tip of the skewer to break some polymer cross-links, push aside the molecules
of rubber, and slide into the balloon. However, enough cross-links remain so that the balloon
holds together. In the side of the balloon, there are fewer polymer molecules. When you push
the tip of the pin through the rubber in the side of the balloon and the pin breaks a few of the
cross-links, the tension on the remaining cross-links is too great, and the balloon pops. The
tape sticks to the rubber in the balloon and will not allow the rubber to stretch to the breaking
point when the pin pierces the balloon. In other words, the tape reinforces the cross links, and
the balloon stays together.
Science Concept: Density

Dancing raisin
What will happen: The raisins will first sink to the bottom. Then watch closely.
After a few seconds, they will float up to the top, then sink again. Why this
happens: Raisins have more density than the 7-Up, so they sink to the bottom.
But the carbon dioxide air bubbles stick to the surface of the raisin as they rise
up through the liquid. When they stick to a raisin, they give it extra buoyancy,
causing it to float to the top. When the bubbles detach from the raisin, it sinks
again. After awhile, the soda will run out of fizz and it will no longer lift the
raisins.

Since the surface of the raisins is rough, tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide gas are
attracted to it. These bubbles increase the volume of the raisin substantially, but
contribute very little to its mass. As a result, the overall density of the raisin is
lowered, causing it to be carried upward by the more dense fluid surrounding it.
Archimedes Principle states that the buoyant force exerted on a fluid is equal to the
weight of fluid displaced. Since the raisins now have a greater volume, they displace
more water, causing the fluid to exert a greater buoyant force. The buoyant force of
the surrounding fluid is what pushes the raisins to the top.

Once the raisins reach the top, the bubbles pop upon exposure to the air. This makes
the raisins more dense, causing them to sink. As more bubbles adhere to the raisins,
the density of the raisins decreases and they rise to the surface again. This experiment

very clearly shows that an increase in volume (as long as the mass increase is
negligible) will lead to a decrease in density. The bubbles that attach themselves to
the raisins are like little life jackets that make the raisins more buoyant by increasing
their volume.

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