What Makes a Helium Balloon Float Up While a Regular Balloon Sinks?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What makes a helium balloon float up while a regular balloon sinks?

The Big Idea

A helium balloon floats up. A balloon you blow up yourself sinks. What is the difference?

A Light Gas

Step one: a light gas. Helium is a gas that weighs much less than the same amount of air. A balloon full of helium is lighter than the air it pushes aside.

Held Up by Air

Step two: held up by air. The surrounding air holds it up, like a cork floating in water. Each liter of helium lifts roughly one gram.

Breath Is Heavier

Step three: breath is heavier. A balloon you blow up with your breath holds heavier air, so it sinks. Always ask a grown-up to fill balloons.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Helium is a very light gas. The air pushes it up. Breath air is heavier. So that balloon sinks.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Helium is the second lightest element in the universe, after hydrogen. A liter of helium lifts about one gram. Floating is like a cork in water. Popped balloon pieces can be a choking hazard, so ask a grown-up to clean them up.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Compare a party balloon filled with air to one filled with helium. A grown-up should fill them both. Watch which one floats and which one falls. Never put a balloon in your mouth. Keep asking why, and keep exploring!

Outro

A helium balloon floats because helium is lighter than air, so the air around it holds it up like a cork in water. Science is amazing! Keep wondering and keep exploring! The more you look around, the more wonders you will find, so keep your eyes open! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!