Can Sharpie marker on a balloon keep it inflated longer?

October 9, 2021 6:35 PM

If you have two identical rubber balloons, is there a way/reason that drawing lines on one with black sharpie could cause it to lose air slower than an unaldulterated version?

OK so I acknowledge this sounds mad. My partner brought back 3 identical basic rubber balloons from a friend's baby shower, all from the same package, all inflated at the same time, all inflated to roughly the same level.

On two of them, we used a standard black Sharpie marker to draw our attempts at each other's faces (we were bored and drunk, OK?). The third we left blank.

The blank balloon has pretty much completely deflated, whereas the two with faces on are still thoroughly inflated over a week after they were bought home. Maybe very slightly smaller than they originally were but hard to tell.

Note that it's not like the drawn on ones are completely covered in marker or anything - it's just line drawings of faces.

posted by Dext to Science & Nature (11 answers total)

Response by poster: Balloons in question and the extent of the marker here. Faces redacted for privacy reasons but trust that the balloon versions are broadly accurate.
posted by Dext at 6:44 PM on October 9, 2021 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Nope. Post hoc ergo propter hoc.
posted by bricoleur at 6:54 PM on October 9, 2021 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I believe what you have here is an example of how "correlation does not equal causation." There are far too many other potential variables -- tightness of the knot, original inflation pressure, batch variation in the latex, to name a few -- to attribute the longevity of your faces to Sharpie marks. Even if they are totally charming Sharpie marks.
posted by peakcomm at 6:56 PM on October 9, 2021 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Ok, thanks to peakcomm and bricoleur. I suspected as much with regards to causation/confirmation bias but it just seemed like such a weird coincidence.

I am totally going to buy my own pack of balloons now to perform experiments and make really sure though.
posted by Dext at 7:20 PM on October 9, 2021 [16 favorites]

It's not sound to draw a firm conclusion based on this experience but it's also not sound to confidently reject any effect out of hand without further analysis.

I appreciate and applaud your dedication!
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:42 PM on October 9, 2021 [5 favorites]

Off the top of my head I would guess that if there is a causal relationship here it involves pulling the knot tighter while manipulating the balloons to draw on them.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:52 PM on October 9, 2021 [7 favorites]

or perhaps in the process of drawing on the balloons you handled them more, and the oil from your skin protected them a bit? just guessing?
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 10:29 PM on October 9, 2021

There is actually a plausible reason why a blacker, more shaded balloon might last longer - in that the black colour makes the balloon a better absorber or radiant heat than than a lighter colour - this making the air expand more than it would do in a lighter coloured balloon - and making it less deflated. I don't think think this is what is happening with your balloons though: chance is a much more important factor!
posted by rongorongo at 11:07 PM on October 9, 2021

Blow up the balloon and then cover fully with sharpie. I can see that working because the latex is stretched out and a bit thick and thin but not too much so (or it would pop). Balloons are not air-tight, they are permeable and molecules of air do slip out right through the surface. Covering the whole thing with a sharpie (and whatever the solvent they use to carry the ink) might (just might) cause the stretched out latex balloon to melt and reform just a little bit evening out the peaks and valleys and making the surface more regular.

I don't see how drawing just faces would make much of a change beyond coincidence. Try covering the whole balloon. It will either make it last longer or deflate faster or no real difference.
posted by zengargoyle at 3:32 AM on October 10, 2021 [2 favorites]

This is such a weird thread... expected the obvious answer to be much higher. The balloons with faces have been animated by ghosts. Easy to confirm, just check your memory to see if when you walk into the room where you left them, they are often mysteriously floating in a new and surprising location. Fingers crossed for you that the ghosts are not malicious. Good luck!
posted by prefpara at 7:56 AM on October 10, 2021 [15 favorites]

I have no idea why but this question has been floating in the back of my mind for the past week. Here is my possible answer. Something in the marker might interact with the material of the balloon causing it to lose elasticity. If the balloon is less elastic it should reduce the pressure inside the balloon leading it to stay inflated longer as the air is being squeezed out less. I know nothing about anything, so have no idea if this is possible, but it has been bothering me (and I stayed in a holiday inn express last night).
posted by Literaryhero at 7:39 PM on October 16, 2021