| Materials for Building Unit Balloons |
| Building Tissue Paper Balloons |
| Building a Clinometer |
| Building a Heat Source and Pole |
| Materials for Building Unit Balloons |
| Building Tissue Paper Balloons |
| Building a Clinometer |
| Building a Heat Source and Pole |
MATERIALS
- TOOLS
Balloon kit
Glue stick
Plastic trash can liner, with draw string
Fire extinguisher
Theodolite (We purchased ours,
made by Maklanburg-Duncan,
Oklahoma City, OK 73118,
from the local hardware store.)
Stop watch
Measuring tape
Charcoal grill
Grill heat mits
Charcoal
Sand
Scoop
Heat source
5-gallon can
stove pipe
4 2-inch braces
high temperature cement
a wooden pole from a broom, with a hook attached
BACK
TO TOP
BUILDING THE TISSUE
PAPER HOT AIR BALLOON
The balloons used
in this unit are ordered out of the Edmund Scientific’s
Scientifics catalog. In the 1999 Catalog for Science and Engineering Enthusiasts,
the kit is on page 54. It is the 6 Foot Balloon Kit, Package of 2 Balloons,
#Q71-866 for $12.95. The balloon kit contains materials for two balloons.
Each balloon has seven pre-cut balloon panels, patching tissue paper, wire
for the bottom of the balloon, and string for the top. It also comes with
a sheet of directions for constructing the balloon.
It is suggested that the teacher complete one balloon to understand the directions before giving the task to the students. Allow one glue stick per balloon. Stress to the students that the glue must make a complete seal, no air pockets.
Each group of four students receives the materials for one balloon. Allow one-and-a-half hours to glue the seven panels together, attach the wire hoop at the bottom, and tie the string at the top. When making the wire hoops, cover the ends with masking tape to prevent the edges from tearing the tissue paper. When tying the string at the top of the balloon, use one end of the string, not the middle. Tie a loop in the other end of the string. This loop will be used when filling the balloon with hot air. (See picture.) After building the balloon, fold it and put it into a tall kitchen bag with a draw string. Put the team name on the outside of each bag. These bags can then be easily stored on a hanger, coat hook,etc.
The next day, after the
glue has set, the group needs to perform the “hair dryer test.”
One student unfolds and holds the balloon open. Another student aims the hair
dryer along the seams, from the inside. The third and fourth students look
for any holes in the seams. Now is the time to reglue and / or patch. It will
be easier doing repairs in the classroom before the balloons are taken outside
than outside on the day of the launch. After passing the “hair dryer
test,” the balloon is ready for the launch. Store it in its plastic bag.
You will also need to bring tape and tissue for patching outside on the
day of the launch for “emergency” repairs.
BACK
TO TOP
BUILDING A CLINOMETER
You may opt to have each balloon group build a clinometer rather than have
the school purchase a theodolite. The group clinometer should then be stored
in the balloon bag along with the data sheet and pencil.
Cut a six-inch square hole in one side of the can. Cut a circular hole in the top of the can to fit the stove pipe. Attach the stove pipe to the can using four 2-inch braces screwed into both the can and the pipe. Seal the seam with high-temperature cament. (See picture.)
The pole is a wooden pole
from a broom. Attached to one end of the pole is a hook to hold the string
at the top of the balloon.
BACK
TO TOP
USING THE HEAT
SOURCE
When setting up the heat source, teachers should use about a 2-inch
layer of sand at the bottom of the can to provide stability. Heat charcoal
in a Bar-B-Q kettle. Use as much charcoal as the grill will heat. The more
charcoal in the heat source, the more heat it will produce.
When the coals are white hot, teachers should use a grilling mit to hold a metal scoop and transfer the hot coals in the metal scoop to the heat source. Continue heating batches of charcoal throughout the launch to replenish the charcoal in the heat source as it cools. BACK TO TOP
See
where a lot of HOT AIR can take you 
