How to Create a Hot Air Balloon

Heat rises to lift up a hot-air balloon.

Hot air balloons are successfully lifted off the ground by using significant amounts of hot air, which is lighter than colder air. You can show this process to students by creating a smaller version of a hot air balloon using materials that can be found in any kitchen. Once the hot air balloon has been created, your students can take turns seeing how high they can make it fly.

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum foil
• Tape
• Tea light candle
• Paper grocery bag

Instructions

1. Roll two pieces of aluminum foil into 18-inch-long rolls.

2. Place the aluminum rolls perpendicular to each other and tape them together.

3. Tape a tea light candle onto the middle section of the aluminum rolls where they cross.

4. Tape the aluminum rolls with the candle facing up onto the underside of a paper grocery bag.

5. Light the candle, and the hot air from the flame will fill the bag, lifting it up like a hot air balloon.

References

• Over Flite: Model Hot Air Balloon