How to Make a Solar Hot Air Balloon

Solar energy is very useful. It comes from the sun and can be used to heat the air in a hot air balloon. You can have fun with this concept by making a solar hot air balloon of your own.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4 black garbage bags
• Roll of masking tape
• Scissors

1. Separate four black garbage bags from the roll of trash bags and cut the end seam off each one. Use the scissors to cut one side of the bag open and repeat for each of the remaining three bags.

2. Join two bags. Use some of the masking tape and tape two bags together at the side. Tape the third bag's side to the second bag, then tape the fourth bag to the third bag at the side. Now tape the sides of the first and fourth bags together and you should have a tube that measures 6 feet by 5 feet.

3. Seal up one end of the bag with masking tape. Open the other end, then tape it shut. Cut off about 5 inches of the corner, then turn the balloon inside out, so the tape is on the inside. Take the balloon outside. Use a small fan or blow dryer to inflate the balloon. The sun will keep the air inside the balloon hot. You can tie a string on the balloon or just let it go. Try attaching objects or messages to the balloon before launching it in the air.

Tips & Warnings

• To carry larger objects, you can use more trash bags to make the balloon bigger.

[tjustman]

on 1/21/2009 Step 3 is about as easy to understand as hieroglyphics. Pictures or diagrams are required for this eHow.