Hot Air BalloonsMs. Lempicki- 4th

Grade

Discuss:Why do balloons

rise?

There are two ways a balloon can rise: it can…

(1) be filled with a gas that is lighter than air, such as helium, or 2) be filled with air that is heated

to make it "lighter" than the air outside of the balloon.

When we say “lighter”, what do we mean?The air is less dense than the air around it, so it rises.

Some information:Helium is the second-lightest element, and the main sources for helium are natural gas fields (especially those in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas). Heating air makes it less dense, making it essentially "lighter." Gas balloons and hot air balloons float because they are lighter than the air they displace.

How do we make a hot air balloon in our classroom?

We have these supplies:•Plastic garbage bags•Paper clips•String•Balloons•Hair dryer•Decorations such as stickers

In your groups of four,First,Decorate you plastic bag with scraps

of paper and stickers.

Next, tie a string around the top of the plastic bag.

Then, add paper clips around the bottom of the bag.

See Ms. Lempicki to continue!