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Thermal Conductivity of Water and Air:
Heating Water in a Balloon

This diagram explains the effects of the differing thermal conductivity of water and thermal conductivity of air as it is heated. It depicts a balloon filled with air and a small amount of water being held above a small flame. The graphic shows the convection of the air and water as it is heated by the flame.

The following is a simple and inexpensive experiment that you can do by yourself or with a class to investigate how heat is transferred through differing materials, in this case water and air. This is a great way segue into topics such as thermal conductivity, and thermal diffucivity. If you would like to know the thermal conductivity of water, the thermal conductivity of air, or the thermal properties of other materials check out our materials database.

Abstract

This experiment highlights the difference in the thermal conductivity of air and the thermal conductivity of water, or the absorption and transfer of heat in water as compared to air.

Hypothesis

Heat transfer in liquid and gasses is through convection and water absorbs much more heat than air (Holman,1981).

Background

In physical science, heat transfer often refers to the the process by which matter exchanges thermal energy. As such, there are three key ways through which heat energy is transferred between matter.

  • Conduction: is heat transfer through solids
  • Convection: is heat transfer through gasses and liquids
  • Radiation: is heat transfer without any medium( in a vacuum)

Materials

Materials that you will require for this experiment will include the following:

This diagram explains the effects of the differing thermal conductivity of water and thermal conductivity of air as it is heated. It depicts a balloon filled with air and a small amount of water being held above a small flame. The graphic shows the convection of the air and water as it is heated by the flame.

Procedure

With all the requirements set, the procedure for the experiment will progress as detailed below:

  1. Fill up one of the balloons with air
  2. Light up the candle with a match stick
  3. Hold up the balloon filled up with air very close to the flame and observe what happens.
  4. Put some water in the other balloon and fill it up with air
  5. Bring it closer to the fire as in (3) above and observe what happens.

Observation

When the balloon filled with air touches the flame, it bursts. However, the balloon that contains water does not burst upon touching the flame.

Explanation

The balloon filled with air bursts since the air expands quickly and does not absorb the heat from the rubber which causes the rubber ball to stretch and eventually brake to let the expanded air out. The balloon having water and air does not burst. It is because water absorbs the heat from the rubber band and through convection currents it carries the heat away from the rubber while cold water replaces the risen water (Holman,1981).

Conclusion

The conclusions drawn from this experiment confirm that water and air are both heated through convection current, nevertheless the thermal conductivity of water is higher than the thermal conductivity of air. Water absorbs far more heat than air making the balloon heat proof. As such, water can be used as a heated tank.

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