Constructing Mini Hot Air Balloon for Physics Olympics

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on constructing a mini hot air balloon for a Physics Olympics competition, with specific constraints including a maximum diameter of 50 cm and a power source limited to a candle with up to three wicks. Participants emphasize the importance of selecting lightweight materials to ensure the balloon can lift additional weight. Recommendations include studying existing designs, particularly cylindrical shapes, and utilizing resources such as instructional videos on lantern construction for guidance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics related to hot air balloon flight
  • Familiarity with lightweight materials suitable for balloon construction
  • Basic knowledge of candle physics and heat generation
  • Experience with crafting and assembling models
NEXT STEPS
  • Research lightweight materials for hot air balloon construction, such as mylar or tissue paper
  • Learn about the principles of buoyancy and how they apply to hot air balloons
  • Watch instructional videos on constructing sky lanterns for design inspiration
  • Experiment with different candle designs to optimize heat output
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students participating in physics competitions, educators teaching principles of buoyancy and thermodynamics, and hobbyists interested in model balloon construction.

jangag
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First , i am sorry if i posted on a wrong section because I am just new here .
We , as a group of four ,need some ideas on constructing a hot air balloon with maximum diameter of 50cm (for balloon) and it should be powered only by candle (made or bought) with maximum of 3 wicks for our Physics Olympics (school competition). My problem is , i don't know what is the best material for the whole hot air balloon so it can lift up with weights on it ,and also how to construct a balloon (currently i am searching for guides on how to make) so i am here asking for some help . Thank you
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
A quick calculation shows that you aren't going to do this with a spherical balloon think cylinder.
 

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