r/strange • u/RaelityVoid • 2d ago

Why this balloon shrink when I touch it

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84 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

42 comments sorted by

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52

u/thrallswreak 2d ago

This balloon has been inflated for a while yes? I think what happens is the polymers that make up the balloon get 'stuck' in their stretched state (they heat up when stretched from friction and then cool) and when you touch the surface your body heat causes them to snap back. They also leak air slowly so it 'collapses' down a bit. Its been a while since I've played with balloons, I remember doing this as a kid.

9

u/K1bbles_n_Bits 1d ago

You should go buy a bunch just to play with them! Balloons are fun! =D

3

u/morticia02 1d ago

I like this energy a lot

1

u/ZooperWooperBooper 14h ago

and very very very very very wasteful

4

u/RaelityVoid 2d ago

Yes! This sounds about right! Thank you!

2

u/Slight_Sir_1436 1d ago

Somebody polymer chains.

35

u/Elementary2 2d ago

I'd guess the heat helps the polymers become more elastic, returning it to a more flexible / flat state

34

u/girls-and-corpses 1d ago

Because fuck you that's why!

11

u/RaelityVoid 1d ago

My good friend says this to me all the time <3

2

u/girls-and-corpses 1d ago

Its a good thing to say

2

u/LocoNotLoco 1d ago

Ok I gave you my upvote, but I'm still howling.

2

u/swollen-hol3 1d ago

Cause I'm a nicotine addict that's why

And I like to smoke camel wides

7

u/IamOutsideAlready 1d ago

Could be that it was already inflated.

Could be that you are cursed and your vile touch withers anything it encounters. You are doomed to walk the earth, unloved, and feared until the end of your days unless you decide to get cute mittens.

4

u/RaelityVoid 1d ago

😧 how'd you know!

6

u/mwpdx86 1d ago

This is the best stage of balloon, according to 5 year old me.

3

u/andstep234 2d ago

Are your hands cold? They look cold.

That would make the air inside the balloon contract.

3

u/Flimsy_Scratch_8050 1d ago

Cold hands? 🥶

3

u/123jac123 1d ago

I think they have super cooled the balloon down and their hands are warming it up so that it regains elasticity.

4

u/SomeLadySomewherElse 2d ago

Looks like it has hi-float in it. It's like a clear glue that you squirt into the balloon before inflating to help them last longer. I think you're causing it to separate.

2

u/Ok_Foundation4298 1d ago

Idk the science but it's the balloon deflating.

It's my absolute favorite thing to do with balloons! I'm so happy for you!! Lmao you got a handprint!!

1

u/Dry_Butterfly_721 1d ago

Does it taste like blue raspberry bubblegum?

1

u/BiggusD1 1d ago

why talk like Kevin from The Office

1

u/Iwishicould7575 1d ago

Should ask your husband!

1

u/ScienceForge319 1d ago edited 1d ago

Oompah loompah doopity da de

The balloon is scared and shrinks from me.

1

u/InformationWise451 1d ago

i thought this happens when it was to hot or cold with helium or like your own air is also put in the balloon...

1

u/LeFreeke 1d ago

It’s old.

1

u/OnTheList-YouTube 1d ago

Enklish

2

u/CreHater 1d ago

It's clearly American, not English.

1

u/HexDanTHEWHALE 1d ago

Wait... do the whole thing.

1

u/Fbomb77 1d ago

Lik e Hawaiian sleep grass

1

u/Nothing-to_see_hr 1d ago

Nice observation!

1

u/bong_slap 1d ago

Many plastics have memory when expanded without heat. Like heat shrink plastics, they remember what they were like in the before times and the heat makes them go back. Id guess your balloon got old and is doing this cause it doesnt have elasticity left.

1

u/TheWorldsEnd- 16h ago

Has to have something to do with the oils from your hands

1

u/BadgerAwkward 16h ago

Its because you relieved the pressure in that specific spot which relaxed the elastic. The remaining air inside doesn't have the pressure to expand the material again so it leaves little shrunk spots everywhere you touch it.

1

u/fhilaii 5h ago

This is what's known as plasma, one of the additional states of matter the teacher only briefly touched on in science class.

1

u/SubstantialFly6715 1d ago

Probably because you got them Crypt keeper hands!

1

u/whineyinternetkid 22h ago

They have super normal healthy looking hands. You need help

1

u/SubstantialFly6715 21h ago

Cold hands my man. Cold hands.