Hot Air Balloon
Table 1: Possible Variables
Background:
Brainstorm possible variables, include as many ideas as
possible.
Possible Independent Variables
We have been working on our hot air balloon
making. We researched a lot about hot air
balloons. We even made models and diagrams
how we were going to make it. We used eight A2
size paper (very light) to make this balloon.
materials
weather
location
work time
amount of heat
[name of website if you used it for research]
Purpose:
The purpose of this experiment is to
determine the effect of hot air balloon on the
time it flies.
Highlight your top choice from the table above.
Remember, unused independent variables can be
very good controlled variables (Constants).
Table 2: Variables
Independent (Manipulated) Variable
Materials
Choices of the Independent Variable (Range)
location
Weather
Same Weather
work time
Dependent (Responding) Variable
Units of the Dependent Variable
Some flew very well
Seconds
Controlled Variables (Constants)
Impact if they are not controlled
Same material
Some can fly more and some don’t.
Research Question:
Same weather
Maybe the wind or rain can make ballon fly more and less.
When we went outside, the wind blew hardly, which impacted the time of balloon float in the air.
The wind carried balloon
a lot up to the sky.
Same location
In the building with roof? Outside with no roof?
Hypothesis:
If you use different materials to make this hot air balloon, it impacts the record time. If you use light
materials, it will carry less mass, so it will float a lot better than heavy materials.
Table 3: Materials Keep it brief, this is not the emphasis of the experiment.
all the spaces.
Qty
Size
Item
8 pieces of paper
A2
8 thin pieces of color paper
Four
Normal
Glue
Three
Normal
Scissors
Three
Normal
Marker
Procedure: Remember to include multiple trials.
1. First, make out the diagram.
2. Make models.
3. Get eight pieces of A2 size paper.
4. Draw lines on top where we are going to cut.
5. Cut the paper.
6. Glue the papers together.
7. Combine rest of the papers in 3D shape.
8. Make a hole at the bottom.
9. Test it.
You might not use
Data
Hot Air Balloon Table
Range 1
(5)
(seconds)
Range 2
(4)
(seconds)
Trial 1
10
24
Trial 2
15
26
Trial 3
13
22
Average (graph
these numbers!)
12.66666666666
67
24
Table 5: [Title of Data Table goes here - this should be a table that has all the averages,
and then you graph this one.]
Tae In, Bryce,
Calvin
Sophia, Lauren,
Grace
12.66666666667
seconds
24 seconds
Data (continued) Pictures of Balloon Designs
Figure 1: Getting Ready
Try to label the picture using uniform
fashion. Drag the arrows below to
the appropriate locations.
Balloon
Hole
Pipe
Figure 2: Going Up
Try to label the picture using uniform
fashion. Drag the arrows below to
the appropriate locations.
Eight pieces of Paper
Balloon going up
Timer
Figure 3: In the Air
Try to label the picture using uniform
fashion. Drag the arrows below to
the appropriate locations.
15 seconds in the air
The balloon shrunk
Data (continued)
Qualitative Observations
1. The tape could have affected the balance of the balloon.
2. The balloon flipped over on the first trial.
3. The heat created more volume inside the ballon.
4. The heat went out faster when it flipped over.
Figure 4: [Put a picture of the setup with the
burner and your balloon]
Balloon
Heating up the balloon
Pipe
Try to label the picture using uniform
fashion. Drag the arrows below to
the appropriate locations.
Data Analysis
Figure 5: [Enter name of title here]
Interpret your graph. (This will help you
in your conclusion. Write three things
that you notice about the graph.)
This graph shows that our balloon
worse than the other groupʼs balloon. I
think they did better because they
made out of simple shape, and not
much overlapping when they were
making. They also made into
rectangular shape, instead of triangular
shape.
Conclusion/Discussion
As you continue through the years, the conclusion and discussion will be written in paragraph form.
However, at this point we will break it up into smaller chunks. Answer the following questions in detail. Do
your best to answer all of the questions.
1. What was your hypothesis AND was your hypothesis supported?
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2. Support your answer to the question above with experimental observations. (You must use data! Use
numbers!)
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Conclusion/Discussion (continued)
3. Explain why you think you got the results you did?
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4. Give at least two likely experimental errors (include which specific observation it was, what you think the
error was, and why you think you made that error. “This is what I saw? This is what the error was... This is
why it happened?)
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5. If you did this experiment again, how would you improve this experiment? (explain in detail)
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6. What further experiment would you want to try? (explain in detail, include a brief picture of the
experimental setup)
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