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arXiv · 2611.08521

How balloons lose their charge by collecting ions from the air

J. Pantaleone
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Abstract

The air we breathe contains radioactive particles. Each time one of these particles decays, it creates hundreds of thousands of ionized air molecules. These ions make the air conductive, which is one reason insulated surfaces lose charge over time. Here we observe the discharge of two statically charged balloons by measuring the repulsive force between them over time. The initial rates of charge loss are relatively large, especially at higher humidities. This large rate of charge loss is likely dominated by the emission of water ions from the balloons surface. Approximately 1 hour after charging, the charge loss rates are much smaller and agree with predictions calculated from the radon concentration in the air and the size of the room, for reasonable aerosol concentrations.

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J. Pantaleone. 2026-10-29. How balloons lose their charge by collecting ions from the air. https://arxiv.org/abs/2611.08521

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