A Flair For Hot Air
Hot air balloons work because hot air rises. By heating the air inside the balloon with the burner, it becomes lighter than the cooler air on the outside. This causes the balloon to float upwards, as if it were in water. Obviously, if the air is allowed to cools, the balloon begins to slowly come down.
Task
Find out how hot air balloons work by crafting your own and watching it fly up, up and away.
Resources
- Sticky tape
- Cardboard tubes
- Black bin bags (preferably biodegradable)
- Hairdryer
Instructions
- Tie the bag handles together so that only a small opening remains and tuck the handles inside so they’re not loose.
- Slide the cardboard tube into the bag opening.
- Fill the bag with air, using the hairdryer on the coolest setting. As they fill with warm air, they should tug away and eventually fly. The cool setting will still create warm air but won’t melt the bags.
- Find out hot air balloons work and report back
