Well, that didn't take long. Less than 24 hours after posting Chemical Mystery #12: Baffling Balloons, Michael Farabaugh correctly explained how the experiment was conducted.
Three different balloons - one filled with helium, one with air, and one with sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) - were placed into a tank filled with sulfur hexafluoride gas. The helium-filled balloon floated out of the tank and up through the air. The air-filled balloon floated on the sulfur hexafluoride contained in the tank. Finally, the balloon filled with SF6sunk in the tank filled with SF6. You can watch the solution in the video below.
Well done, Michael. I think I’m going to have to come up with some chemical mysteries that are a bit more difficult for you all to solve…
Safety
General Safety
General Safety
For Laboratory Work: Please refer to the ACS Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Secondary Schools (2016).
For Demonstrations: Please refer to the ACS Division of Chemical Education Safety Guidelines for Chemical Demonstrations.
Other Safety resources
RAMP: Recognize hazards; Assess the risks of hazards; Minimize the risks of hazards; Prepare for emergencies
All comments must abide by the ChemEd X Comment Policy, are subject to review, and may be edited. Please allow one business day for your comment to be posted, if it is accepted.
Comments 2
Kevin Delaney is a little crazy
I like the dry ice fog effect with sulfur hexafluoride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQWtZd8jM3g
Great video
I love all of the experiments done in this video! Thanks for sharing, Michael.