Loading...
Initial language selection is based on your web browser preferences.
A hot air balloon, also known as an aerostat, moves through the air based on Archimedes' principle, which relates to the buoyancy of gases. The balloon consists of several key components: the envelope (the textile portion that is filled with hot air to provide lift), the basket for the crew, a burner to heat the air inside the envelope, and fuel tanks (typically filled with propane or a propane-butane mixture). In this animated model, the air inside the envelope is gradually heated by the burner, which increases the air's temperature (indicated by the red color). As the air is heated, it becomes less dense than the cooler air outside, creating a lifting force that causes the balloon to rise. At the highest point of flight, a parachute valve is opened to release some of the hot air. Cooler air (represented by blue arrows) flows into the envelope, reducing the lifting force, which causes the balloon to descend.
