Physics Asked by Martinique on July 2, 2021
This is a reference request for a theory of bursting balloons:
Let’s say I have a balloon and this balloon has an impurity along a small strip. Let’s assume for example the balloon had a hole there at some point and I tried to fix it with some tape. So the structural properties of the balloon are very different in that particular area. So now I start blowing up my balloon until it explodes.
My question is: Does there exist a theory that based on some assumptions on the overall material properties of the balloon will allow me to model
a) where it will burst and
b) how, i.e. how will the hole extend?
Ab initio answers on some of your own ideas how to model this are of course also welcome!
I understand that the question is not a well-defined homework problem and there may not be an optimal answer, but I would be grateful to some pointers to equations and theoretical methods to study the bursting mechanism.
a) where will it burst?
The 'burst' would start at the weakest part of the balloon, for example where there is a small defect or perhaps where it was mended as you described.
b) how will the hole extend?
If you look at burst balloons, you'll see a rip, approximately in a straight line. To imagine why this happens, imagine pulling both ways on a strip of paper, it could be quite strong and hard to rip. If there is a small cut on one edge, a tear would start there and move along - the paper tears into two pieces, approximately in a straight line.
Which line a 'tear' in the balloon starts to move would depend on the strength of the material around the initial starting point. Once it starts tearing in a direction, it's more likely to continue in a similar direction, as a tear in a piece of paper does.
Answered by John Hunter on July 2, 2021
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