Editing Fireproof Balloon (section)

== Why This Works ==

When we hold the first balloon over the match, it pops because of the heat. The rubber of the balloon wasn't able to handle the heat, and the air inside the balloon was expanding as it got warmer. These two things resulted in the balloon popping, since neither the rubber or the air could handle a lot of heat. The second balloon had a little water inside of it, which protected it from popping. Water has a high ''Heat Capacity'', meaning that water is able to absorb a lot of heat without having a high increase in temperature. When the balloon is being heated, the water absorbs the heat from the rubber instead of letting the air heat up and expand. This protects the balloon from popping, even as soot gathers on the bottom of it! For a gallon of water, you would need nearly 4,000 calories (or 4 Calories) of heat to raise the temperature by only one degree Celsius. This is why "A watched pot never boils" is a common proverb; a pot of water needs a lot of energy to boil, so you will be watching it for a long time!