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Hot air balloons are based on a very basic scientific principle: warmer air rises in cooler air. Essentially, hot air is lighter than cool air, because it has less mass per unit of volume. A cubic foot of air weighs roughly 28 grams (about an ounce). If you heat that air by 100 degrees F, it weighs about 7 grams less. Therefore, each cubic foot of air contained in a hot air balloon can lift about 7 grams. That's not much, and this is why hot air balloons are so huge -- to lift 1,000 pounds, you need about 65,000 cubic feet of hot air.
If you're interested in getting a birds-eye-view of the world, then you should check out the paragliding article, video and images at Discovery's Fearless Planet. In the next section, we'll look at the different components of hot air balloons to find out how they heat the air.
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Why do hot air balloons have sand bags?
Modern hot air balloons do not have sand bags because the air input is easily controlled for lift. Hot air balloons used to have sandbags to weigh them down until lift off and sand was gradually dumped to gain height in the air.
How do hot air balloons descend?
Hot air balloons descend by releasing hot air from the balloon envelope, causing it to cool down and become denser. This decrease in density causes the balloon to descend slowly until it reaches the ground. Pilots control the rate of descent by manipulating the amount of heat in the balloon.
What gas is used for a hot airballoon?
I am fairly sure that hot air balloons use normal air. They rely more on the idea of bouyancy rather than using specal gases, such as helium. The hot air inside of the balloon is more bouyant than the cold air outside of the balloon. So that makes the balloon ascend till the temperature of the air inside of the balloon is equal to the temperature of the air outside of the balloon. Then as the air inside the balloon gets colder, the balloon starts to descend.
What elements are used in an air balloon?
Hot air is common.
What happens to a balloon on a hot day and what might happen if it gets to hot?
When air is heated, its volume increases. If you fill a balloon with comparably cold air and then let it touch hotter air, the air inside will expand and thereby increase the pressure on the balloon membrane. If this pressure gets too strong, the balloon might pop.
Why does a hot balloon fly?
A hot air balloon flies because it is filled with hot air. Hot air rises and causes the balloon to lift from the ground.
Does a hot air balloon need CO2 to lift?
No, a hot air balloon does not need CO2 to lift. Hot air balloons work on the principle that hot air is less dense than cooler air, causing it to rise. When the air inside the balloon is heated, it becomes lighter than the surrounding air, allowing the balloon to lift off the ground.
Why does a hot air balloon fly?
A hot air balloon flies because hot air inside the balloon is less dense than the cooler air outside. This temperature difference creates lift, allowing the balloon to rise and float in the air. By controlling the temperature of the air inside the balloon, the pilot can control the balloon's ascent and descent.
Why was the hot air balloon made?
The hot air balloon was made for people to travel in the air.
Why is the size of balloon in the hot air balloon important?
The size of the balloon in a hot air balloon is crucial because it determines the amount of hot air it can hold, which in turn affects its ability to lift the basket and passengers. A larger balloon can hold more hot air and generate more lift, while a smaller balloon will have less lift capacity. Finding the right balance in size is essential for the balloon to safely and effectively carry its load.
What does the hot air balloon have in the middle?
The hot air balloon has a basket in the middle, which holds passengers and the pilot. The basket is attached to the envelope of the balloon, where hot air is used to generate lift and make the balloon float.
Can a hot air balloon lift a car?
yes
How much hot air does it take to raise a hot air balloon?
It typically takes around 65,000 cubic feet of heated air to lift a hot air balloon, depending on its size and weight. The burner heats up the air inside the balloon, causing it to become less dense than the air outside the balloon, which creates lift.
What are the forces acting in a hot air balloon ride?
In a hot air balloon ride, the main forces acting on the balloon are lift, gravity, and drag. The hot air inside the balloon is lighter than the cooler air outside, creating lift. Gravity pulls the balloon downwards, and drag opposes the balloon's forward movement through the air. Flight control is achieved by controlling the amount of hot air in the balloon.
Why can't a hot air balloon float in outer space?
A hot air balloon requires air to generate lift. In outer space, there is no air or atmosphere, so there is nothing for the hot air balloon to displace to generate lift, causing it to be unable to float.
Why is a hot air balloon able to lift itself?
A hot air balloon is able to lift itself because the air inside the balloon is heated, making it less dense than the surrounding cool air. This causes the balloon to become buoyant and rise. By controlling the temperature of the air inside the balloon, the pilot can control the altitude of the balloon.
Is a hot air balloon a balanced or unbalanced force?
A hot air balloon is balanced because the upward lift force from the hot air inside the balloon is equal and opposite to the downward force of gravity on the balloon and its contents. This balance allows the hot air balloon to float in the air.
