Hot air balloons are made of a fabric bag, basket, and open flame. They were invented in 18th century France and require a heat source to float. Commercial balloons need a license. They can be made with household items. The balloon’s basic structure has remained the same. To make a large-scale balloon, fabric gas bags made of synthetic substances are used. The burner creates a flame sustained by propane. Cold air is used to partially inflate commercial balloons. Hot air rises due to the difference in weight and density. Small-scale balloons can be made with a candle and aluminum foil.
Hot air balloons are devices of various sizes generally used for air travel or entertainment purposes. They can be made in many forms, but most possess similar characteristics. To make a hot air balloon, an individual usually needs to have a fabric bag, a basket, and a source of open flame. The latter item pumps warm air into the bag and floats it. A license may be required to build commercial hot air balloons, while hot air balloon designs can be made with common household items such as candles and paper bags.
These items were first made in late 18th century France. While early versions required wind propulsion, and more modern versions can be propelled by other energy sources, the balloon’s basic structure has remained. Each variety must have a container for hot air called a bag. A smaller basket, or gondola, is used to carry weight such as human passengers. Of course, the main component to making a hot air balloon is the heat source: an open flame.
An individual wishing to make a large-scale hot air balloon will need these basic components. The pouches are typically made from fabric gas bags made from synthetic substances such as nylon or polyester. This material must be cut into individual panels before the panels are stitched together. In addition, protective coatings can be applied to the surface of the fabric. The passenger carrying component is attached to the balloon with a high-strength substance known as structural cargo tape.
To make a hot air balloon float, an opening, called the throat or vent, must be left in the bottom of the balloon shape for hot air to enter. Also, a burner must be affixed to the opening above the basket. This burner creates a flame which is usually sustained by a liquid gas called propane. While this flame is the primary source of air, commercial hot air balloons often need to be at least partially inflated by cold air beforehand. Pilotage and navigation can be achieved by the addition of vents which release certain amounts of warm air from the enclosure.
The invention of hot air balloons was successful thanks to basic scientific reasoning. Research and experimentation reveal that cold air is heavier than warmer air. When a flame lights up the area under the balloon, or pouch, it collects and becomes very hot because air is trapped. The air surrounding the balloon is colder and, therefore, has more weight and density. This discrepancy allows the air inside the balloon to rise and float along the cooler air source.
As a learning experiment, individuals can also make a small-scale hot air balloon. This process would involve simulating the different components of a real hot air balloon to make a model. For example, the hot air heating property and gondola could be recreated via a candle and aluminum foil. If an individual gets two separate rolls of aluminum foil and then fixes the candle in the center of these adjacent structures, this will work as a substitute for the structures. A paper bag can then be placed over the device to act as a balloon, so that when the candle is lit, the bag rises.
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