Balloon Skewer Trick

Skewer passes through without popping the balloon. Ask students to predict what will happen. Push skewer slowly through thick areas near knot and opposite end. Key idea: Stretched rubber polymer chains can seal around the skewer where tension is lower. Ask: Why doesn't it pop there? Safety and cleanup: Teacher-only with goggles; point away from students. https://www.csub.edu/chemistry/_files/Balloon_Skewer.pdf