Hot Air Balloon Lesson Plan (Modified from Flinn Scientific "Up, Up and Away")
Next Generation Science Standards
Engineering Standards
Middle School
MS-ETS1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problemwith sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principlesand potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
MS-ETS1-2 Evaluate competing design solutionsusing a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
MS-ETS1-3 Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differencesamong several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
High School
HS-ETS1-3 Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offsthat account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aestheticsas well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
Physical Science Standards
Middle School
MS-PS1-4 Develop a model thatpredicts and describes changesin particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
MS-PS3-5 Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim thatwhen the kinetic energy of an object changes,energy is transferredto or from the object.
High School
HS-PS1-5 Apply scientific principles and evidence to provide an explanation aboutthe effects of changing the temperature or concentrationof the reacting particles on the rate at which a reaction occurs
HS-PS2-6 Communicate scientific and technical information about whythe molecular-level structure is importantin the functioning of designed materials.
Objective
Students will create a model hot air balloon to illustrate and explain how temperature increases particle motion leading to reduced gas density.
Materials - (For each group)
-Tissue paper sheets, 20” x30”, 7 -Glue stick -Clear Tape -Meter Stick
-Paper clips, 4 - Scissors -Copy of Procedure - Pencil
Materials (Per class)
- Iron Tripod -Heat Gun -Balloon Launcher -Fire Extinguisher -Extension Cord -Heat Gloves (for students while at launch station) -Goggles (for students while at launch station) -2 Box Fans
Timing
- Introduction (5 minutes)
- Balloon Building (90 minutes)
- Launching (60 minutes)
- Closing (5 minutes)
Instructional Plan
Introduction
Teacher will introduce activity by asking the following questions and facilitating discussion to activate students prior knowledge.
- How do hot air balloons lift from the ground towards the sky?
- Why do they stay afloat?
- Why do they eventually descend?
She will then show them a sample hot air balloon and highlight key components and then allow them to create their own hot air balloon using the procedure below.
Procedure/Student Work Time
1. Fold in half width-wise two sheets one on top of the other, and cut along the
fold to make four sheets 20” x15”.
2. Fold these four pieces in half width-wise and in half again (DON'T CUT).
3. Open completely and fold each of the four pieces along a diagonal from the lower outside corner
to the corner formed by the previous foldings. Cut along this diagonal to produce four trapezoids
with one base of 20”and a second base of 10”Discard the triangles. Place the four trapezoids on top of one another to insure they are all the same.
4. Use a glue stick to glue the 20”base of each of the four trapezoids to a 20”edge of a separate full
sheet. Overlap the edges about an inch.
5. Assemble the four panels to form the four sides of the balloon by gluing the long edges of each
panel one to another, and the sides of the trapezoids one to another.
6. Use the one remaining sheet to make the top of the balloon. Fold diagonally to
form a square, 20” x20”. Cut off and discard the rectangle. Glue the square to the top of the four
sides of the balloon.
7. Carefully, check all the seams of your balloon to make sure there are leaks. If you find a leak, plug the leak by gluing or taping the tissue paper back together.
8. Blow air into the bottom of the balloon using a fan to check for leaks that may not have been detected during the previous step.
9. Add ballast to the bottom of the balloon by fastening four paper clips to the open bottom sides of
the balloon.
10. Take balloon to launch station. Put on safety goggles and heat gloves. Have the
teacher turn on the heat source. Hold the bottom of the balloon over the balloon
launchassembly. Be sure not totouch the heat gun or the balloon launcher to the
tissue paper.
11. Heat the air inside the balloon. Release the balloon once the air inside the balloon has been
heated to the point where the balloon begins to hover on its own.
Closing
Teacher will facilitation discussion by asking the whole class what they learned and how they might modify their hot air balloon to improve function.
Group Instructions
Materials - (For each group)
-Tissue paper sheets, 20” x30”, 7 -Glue stick -Clear Tape -Meter Stick
-Paper clips, 4 - Scissors -Copy of Procedure - Pencil
Procedure
1. Fold in half width-wise two sheets one on top of the other, and cut along the
fold to make four sheets 20” x15”.
2. Fold these four pieces in half width-wise and in half again (DON'T CUT).
3. Open completely and fold each of the four pieces along a diagonal from the lower outside corner
to the corner formed by the previous foldings. Cut along this diagonal to produce four trapezoids
with one base of 20”and a second base of 10”Discard the triangles. Place the four trapezoids on top of one another to insure they are all the same.
4. Use a glue stick to glue the 20”base of each of the four trapezoids to a 20”edge of a separate full
sheet. Overlap the edges about an inch.
5. Assemble the four panels to form the four sides of the balloon by gluing the long edges of each
panel one to another, and the sides of the trapezoids one to another.
6. Use the one remaining sheet to make the top of the balloon. Fold diagonally to
form a square, 20” x20”. Cut off and discard the rectangle. Glue the square to the top of the four
sides of the balloon.
7. Carefully, check all the seams of your balloon to make sure there are no leaks. If you find a leak, plug the leak by gluing or taping the tissue paper back together.
8. Blow air into the bottom of the balloon using a fan to check for leaks that may not have been detected during the previous step.
9. Add ballast to the bottom of the balloon by fastening four paper clips to the open bottom sides of
the balloon.
10. Take balloon to launch station. Put on safety goggles and heat gloves. Have the
teacher turn on the heat source. Hold the bottom of the balloon over the balloon
launchassembly. Be sure not to touch the heat gun or the balloon launcher to the
tissue paper.
11. Heat the air inside the balloon. Release the balloon once the air inside the balloon has been
heated to the point where the balloon begins to hover on its own.
Extras/Extension Ideas
- Students read background info and complete handout attached.
- Use activity to teach or extend on gas laws. Include calculations.
- Students record outside temperature and temperature inside balloon and use data to calculate gross lift. Gross Lift = (635/Outside temperature) - (635/Inside Balloon Temperature) or instead of using the standard 635 in the previous equation students can calculate the weight of air. Weight of Air=635x(Barometric Pressure mm Hg/29.92)
- Students modify base design to add more inquiry to lesson.
- Students analyze data using graphing and statistics.
Up, Up and Away — Hot Air Balloon Activity
Discussion
Most modern hot air balloons are composed of the following parts: the envelope (which is composed of gores, panels and a parachute valve), a skirt, burners, a parachute valve cord, propane tanks, and a wicker basket.
The envelope is constructed from long nylon gores. Nylon is used because it is lightweight and sturdy and has a high melting point. The gores extend from the base of the balloon to the very top of the balloon. The gores are reinforced by horizontal pieces of nylon known as panels. The skirt at the base of the balloon is attached to every gore and is sprayed with a highly fire-resistant material to keep the flame from igniting the balloon. The basket is generally composed of a wicker material. Wicker is very durable and lightweight and absorbs a lot of energy when the balloon makes contact with the ground upon landing.
Propane is stored in a highly compressed form in containers in the basket of the balloon. The propane is led to burners where the propane is ignited and heat is produced. As the air inside of the air balloon heats up, the molecules of gas in the balloon move more rapidly and expand, inflating the balloon. Continue to heat and some of the air spills out the bottom of balloon. Less air left in the balloon means the air inside balloon is less dense than the surrounding air.Eventually the pressure and density difference between the air inside the balloon and the air outside the balloon allows the balloon to inflate and rise. When the parachute valve cord is pulled, hot air is released from the top of the balloon and the balloon will begin to descend slowly back towards the ground.
Hot Air Balloon ActivityQuestionsName ______
1. Label the diagram below with the following parts: envelope, parachute valve, parachute valve
cord, skirt, propane tanks,gores, wicker basket, panels, burners.
2. How does heating the air inside the balloon cause it to rise?
3. It is easier for a balloon to launch if the outside air is cool, rather than hot. Why do you think this
is?