eli5 What happens to helium balloons after they float into the atmosphere?
In: 43
Usually they burst when they reach a high enough altitude. The atmosphere is very thin and cold up there. The coldness makes the rubber of the balloon less elastic, and the lower air pressure means that the pressure inside the balloon is pushing harder against the inside of the balloon (similar to if you’ve seen pictures online of chip bags “puffing up” at high altitudes). Eventually the difference between the pressure inside and outside are too great, and the rubber can’t stretch enough, and it pops.
Latest Answers