Ilmapallot

Ilmapallot are inflatable objects designed to hold air or gas, and they are used for a variety of purposes, including decoration, entertainment, advertising, and scientific measurement. The Finnish term ilmapallo refers to balloons in general and is formed from ilma, meaning air, and pallo, meaning ball. In everyday Finnish, ilmapallot most commonly denote small party balloons, but the term can also apply to larger balloons used in meteorology or aviation, with more specific names such as kuumailmapallo for hot-air balloons.

Common types include decorative latex or foil balloons, which may be filled with air or helium; weather balloons, which rise through the atmosphere carrying radiosondes or other instruments; and hot-air balloons (kuumailmapallo) used for recreational flights and public demonstrations. Latex balloons can float if filled with lighter-than-air gas; foil balloons are often used for longer-lasting displays.

Materials and gases: latex and foil are the main materials. Helium is preferred for lifting because it is non-flammable; hydrogen offers greater lift but presents safety risks and is less commonly used today. Weather balloons are typically latex and filled with helium or hydrogen before launch, then expand as they rise and eventually burst at high altitude; the onboard instruments transmit atmospheric data.

Safety and environmental concerns: releasing balloons can pose risks to wildlife and ecosystems, and many places regulate or discourage balloon releases. Balloons that deflate and fall can become litter; disposal and recycling of foil or latex materials is advised. In addition, improper balloon use can pose hazards to aviation.

History: decorative balloons emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries with advances in rubber technology; modern latex and foil balloons are widely used today. Weather balloons have been essential to meteorology since the early 20th century, providing upper-atmosphere data.