Explore the Exciting Science of Hot Air Balloons!

What happens to the air in a hot air balloon when the burner is turned on?

A. The temperature of the air in the balloon decreases causing its volume to decrease and the balloon to fall.

B. The temperature of the air in the balloon increases causing its volume to expand and the balloon to rise.

C. The temperature of the air in the balloon remains the same, causing no change in volume or altitude of the balloon.

What happens to the volume of the balloon when the burner is turned on?

A. The volume of the balloon decreases.

B. The volume of the balloon expands.

C. The volume of the balloon remains the same.

What happens to the balloon when the burner is turned on?

A. The balloon deflates.

B. The balloon rises.

C. The balloon spins in circles.

Answer:

Part 1) Increase

Part 2) Expand

Part 3) Rise

When the burner in a hot air balloon is turned on, the temperature of the air in the balloon increases causing its volume to expand and the balloon to rise. This is due to the heating of the air inside the balloon, which makes the molecules gain kinetic energy and collide with the walls of the balloon. As a result, the volume of the balloon expands.

When the air inside the balloon expands, it becomes less dense than the cooler surrounding air. This decrease in density causes the balloon to rise as it experiences a greater buoyant force. The hot air balloon floats in the air due to the principle of buoyancy, where the less dense air inside the balloon is lifted by the denser air outside.

So, the next time you see a hot air balloon soaring gracefully in the sky, remember that it's all thanks to the exciting science of how temperature, volume, and density interact to make these colorful balloons fly!