Okay, so I saw this question online about whether a balloon’s size changes with height, and I got curious. I mean, we all know air pressure changes as you go up, right? So, I decided to try it out myself!
The Experiment Begins!
First, I grabbed a few things:
- A regular latex balloon (nothing fancy, just from the party store)
- A long piece of string
- A measuring tape
- My phone (for taking pictures and notes)
- My trusty hiking boots!
I blew up the balloon to a decent size, not too big, not too small. Then, I tied the string to the balloon’s knot. I used the measuring tape to measure the balloon’s circumference at its widest point. I made sure to write that down – very important!
The Climb
Next, the fun part! I live near some pretty good hills, so I drove over to one that has a decent elevation change. At the base of the hill, I measured the balloon’s circumference again, just to be sure it hadn’t changed. Still the same!
Then, I started hiking. It wasn’t a super steep climb, but enough to make a difference in altitude. I stopped every so often, maybe every 100 feet of elevation gain (I used a hiking app on my phone to track this), and I measured the balloon again. I took photos at each stop too, just for proof!
What I Saw
Honestly, it was pretty cool! As I got higher, the balloon definitely looked bigger. And the measuring tape confirmed it – the circumference was actually increasing! It wasn’t a huge change, but it was noticeable. Each time, it grew, maybe a quarter of an inch, then half an inch, and so on.
The Result
So, yeah, the size of a balloon does decrease with height. The higher I went, the bigger the balloon got, thanks to the lower air pressure. It’s basic science, but it’s pretty neat to see it in action. The balloon started at 24in now it’s at 25.5in!
It wasn’t the most scientific experiment ever, but it was fun! And it definitely proved the point. If you’re ever bored, give it a try! Just don’t let go of your balloon, or it’ll float away!