Auditory Risk of Exploding Hydrogen−Oxygen Balloons

Although hydrogen−oxygen balloon explosions are popular demonstrations, the acoustic impulse created poses a hearing damage risk if the peak level exceeds 140 dB at the listener’s ear. The results of acoustical measurements of hydrogen−oxygen balloons of varying volume and oxygen content are describ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical education 2010-10, Vol.87 (10), p.1039-1044
Main Authors: Gee, Kent L, Vernon, Julia A, Macedone, Jeffrey H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustics
Auditory system
Balloons
Chemistry
Demonstrations (Educational)
Ear protection
Explosions
Hearing
Hearing Impairments
Hydrogen
Hydrogen ion concentration
Laboratory Safety
Noise
Oxygen
Oxygen content
Risk
Safety Equipment
Science Experiments
Science Instruction
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Summary:Although hydrogen−oxygen balloon explosions are popular demonstrations, the acoustic impulse created poses a hearing damage risk if the peak level exceeds 140 dB at the listener’s ear. The results of acoustical measurements of hydrogen−oxygen balloons of varying volume and oxygen content are described. It is shown that hydrogen balloons may be used without auditory risk to typically situated participants. It is further shown that even small (∼0.1 mol total) hydrogen−oxygen balloons cannot be exploded without precaution, that is, ensuring that participants have hearing protection or are located sufficiently far away. In all cases, it is recommended that the presenter wear hearing protection.
ISSN:0021-9584
1938-1328
DOI:10.1021/ed100439h