Science Week

Yesterday, our year went to Tallaght IT for a science talk as part of science week. You can visit the science week website here.

During this talk we were asked what gas we thought was in a floating balloon. We said helium as this is the gas used in party balloons. We learned that helium was a non reactive gas and that if it was set on fire a small pop would be heard. We also learned that hydrogen is also lighter than air so that would also keep the balloon floating. Hydrogen is a very reactive gas so if that was set alight there would be a very loud pop. 

We then watched the man put on protective earmuffs and bring a lit torch closer and closer to the balloon until the balloon EXPLODED INTO A BALL OF FLAME. So yeah turns out the balloon was filled with hydrogen...

We also did other small experiments like testing for oxygen and carbon dioxide, trying to blow a small ball into a plastic bottle, proving that gravity accelerates all things to the ground at the same time etc

Afterwards, we headed over to Liffey Valley for some McDonalds.