2006-09-18 16:03:31 · 8 answers · asked by midgetskater12 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Hot air is less dense than colder air and therefore rises above the cold air.
2006-09-18 16:06:52 · answer #1 · answered by The Terminator 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Heated air has less density than cold air. (The same is true of all atoms-- the hotter a material becomes, the more energetic the atoms become, the more they bounce into each other, and even the electrons will also "jump" to "orbits" farther from the nucleus.)
The end result is that there are less atoms per square meter inside the balloon, than outside the balloon. The cold air outside actually sinks beneath the balloon because it is heavier, thus pushing the balloon up.
2006-09-18 16:19:01 · answer #2 · answered by Boomer Wisdom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hot air in the envelope (commonly known as the "balloon") is hotter than the air outside of it and hot air rises, so the balloon rises.
2006-09-18 16:07:16 · answer #3 · answered by msnite1969 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hot air rises. It is trapped at the top of the balloon, but still wants to rise, so basically pushes upwards against the fabric.
2006-09-18 16:06:11 · answer #4 · answered by the_fatmanwalksalone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hot air rises while cool air settles down and escapes...thats what makes hot air balloons float. It has to remain hot in order to stay aloft. Otherwise, it flops down to the ground. Thats why their burning gas has to maintain itself aflame...
2006-09-18 16:08:57 · answer #5 · answered by jet 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hot air is a lot lighter than cooler air and so travels upward pulling the hot air baloon with it.
2006-09-18 16:14:11 · answer #6 · answered by arcane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I know a lot of people who are full of hot air. I just wish they would rise up and float away, never to return! Alas, one can only dream...
Good night, and good luck. Col. Kurtz.
2006-09-18 16:11:39 · answer #7 · answered by Col. Kurtz 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
duh!! hot air rises
2006-09-18 16:07:34 · answer #8 · answered by newhope_26 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋