Brain Teasers
Duffus Burns Boffo
Duffus had hired Boffo the Clown for his nephew's birthday party. Boffo was famous for his helium balloon animals. Boffo was running late and decided to pre-fill the balloons he would need for the party. To his horror, the helium tank was empty. Frantically, Boffo rushed to the local supplier for more. Boffo just made the party in time and began working his balloon magic. Tying the balloon creations to the kids was a hit, but Boffo soon ran out of string. Boffo, thinking quickly, rubbed the balloons on his green polyester wig to create a static charge, which made the balloons stick to the kids' shirts and Boffo's head. Duffus, wanting to get in on the fun, snuck up on Boffo, now with a dozen balloons stuck to his head. Duffus figured he'd just pop one of the balloons, scare Boffo, and get some laughs from the rowdy youngsters. To his amazement, it exploded in a ball of flames, igniting the other balloons, the wig, and Boffo himself as the kids cheered at the spectacle. Fortunately, Duffus had a garden hose nearby, and jumped to Boffo's rescue. Although things did work out for Boffo in the end, he's now known in Vegas as Blaze the Exploding Wonder. What happened to cause the balloons to go up in flames in the first place?
Hint
Think Hindenburg blimp.Answer
Boffo unknowingly received a tank of hydrogen instead of helium. Both are lighter than air and will work to make balloons float. But unlike helium, hydrogen is flammable. Boffo used static electricity to get the balloons to stick to his head. When Duffus popped one, it created a static electric spark and ignited the hydrogen.Hide Hint Show Hint Hide Answer Show Answer
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