Latex eating chemical?! Project Help...PLZ?

Question

I am doing a Rube Goldberg project for my physics class and the objective is to pop a balloon. We get more points for creativity. So i am trying to find a chemical or something that will actually "eat away" the latex balloon. Does anyone have any ideas???!!!

(if not I'll be stuck with a generic old thumbtack!)

Answer 1

Try various handcreams and oils like mineral oils and vaseline.

Answer 2

You can look at some chemical resistance guides to find a chemical.

HOWEVER.  Consider the safety of doing such an operation. Pouring a chemical over an inflated balloon to pop it will most likely cause the chemical to be sprayed all over.  

Another way to pop a balloon is to over inflate it.  Why not attach a deflated balloon to an air valve connection and have you mechanism turn on the valve.  The ballon inflates then pops...  You can use an electrically operated solenoid valve for example which could easily be switched on.

Answer 3

look on this site:http://www.sciencemag.org/