Why do helium balloons lose air faster than carbon monoxide balloons?

Answer 1

It doesn't literally lose "air," because "air" is not what's inside.

But I know what you mean ... you want to know why it loses

pressure faster, and goes limp and saggy.

The molecules of helium are actually physically smaller than the molecules of any component of air, so they escape more readily and more often through the molecular structure of the rubber or mylar skin.

(Tentative answer) Helium atoms are smaller than the molecules in air, so they are more likely to pass through the microscopic holes (imperfections) in the latex or mylar. Over time, the net effect is that helium leaves the balloon faster.

You are probably referring to the escape of helium, He, from a sealed or knotted balloon.

Yes, helium escapes from sealed rubber balloons very much faster than air does. This is because the rubber membrane of a typical toy balloon possesses many small holes or pores, of sizes ranging from smaller than that of a helium atom, to holes thousands of times larger (but still too small to clearly see with the naked eye). He, being the second-smallest atom (next to Hydrogen), passes through many more of these holes than Nitrogen, N, the principal constituent of air and which has an atomic radius many times larger than He. There are other effects at work besides atomic size, but atomic size alone will explain most of the faster deflation seen in He balloons, compared with balloons filled with room air.

Helium atoms are smaller than air molecules. The Helium can creep between the rubber molecules in the balloon more easily and quicker than the bigger heavier air molecules.

Answer 2

Helium atoms are smaller and lighter than carbon monoxide molecules, allowing them to escape more easily through the balloon material. This results in helium balloons losing air faster than carbon monoxide balloons.

Answer 3

Liquid has a fixed volume while a gas does not. The balloon has something called tension.

Since water cannot be compressed or made smaller it fills the balloon much faster. When you start blowing up a balloon the gas becomes squished together, so it takes more air to fill the balloon

Answer 4

Ballons filled with helium deflate quicker because the helium molecule is much smaller than the nitrogen and oxygen molecules that make up air. The small size of the Helium molecule allows it to slip (actually leaks) more easily through the latex used in toy ballons.

Answer 5

Helium is a smaller atom than most of those found in air. Air contains a great deal of nitrogen, oxygen and other gases. The helium can work its way through the rubber of a balloon easier because of its smaller size.

Answer 6

Hydrogen is smaller than nitrogen the main component of air.

Answer 7

Helium atoms are very small and will seep through the skin of the balloon a lot faster than regular air.

Answer 8

Answer: Helium balloons don't lose gas any quicker, it is just that helium expands more than other gasses.

Answer 9

Helium atoms are smaller than the molecules that forms the air, so they seep through the thin rubber faster.

Answer 10

Helium atoms are smaller than the molecules in air, N2 and O2, and diffuse through rubber faster.

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