How can people control a hot air balloon? The simple simulation allows scholars to adjust the payload mass, burner, and vent position on a hot air balloon and observe the changes in velocity and altitude over time. Challenge questions and a worksheet provide a simple evaluation tool.

Concepts

newton's first law of motion, newton's second law of motion, atmospheric pressure, density, lift, hot air balloons

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Create a small hot air balloon in class and use a candle to send it up/down

Classroom Considerations

• Requires a free CK-12 account to access the interactive
• Assumes prior knowledge of altitude, velocity, and interpreting graphs

Pros

• Simulation can display free body diagrams and net force if those options are selected
• Includes a tutorial with instructions on how to use the simulation

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.4 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4