Gas balloon facts for kids

A gas balloon floating high above

A gas balloon is a special type of balloon that flies using a gas lighter than air. This gas helps the balloon float up into the sky. Gas balloons can travel very high, very far, and stay in the air for a long time. They use a scientific idea called buoyancy to fly.

Gas balloons are not the same as hot air balloons. Hot air balloons use a flame to heat the air inside them. This hot air becomes lighter and helps the balloon fly. Gas balloons do not use fire. Instead, they are filled with a gas that is naturally lighter than the air around them.

What Makes Gas Balloons Different?

Gas balloons are different from hot air balloons in a key way. A hot air balloon needs a burner to heat the air inside its envelope. This heated air becomes less dense, making the balloon rise. Think of it like a giant bubble of warm air floating up.

A gas balloon, however, does not use any heat. It is filled with a gas that is naturally lighter than the air outside. This means it can float without needing a constant flame. This difference allows gas balloons to stay in the air for much longer periods.

How Do Gas Balloons Fly?

Gas balloons fly because of something called buoyancy. Buoyancy is the force that makes things float in a fluid, like water or air. When a balloon is filled with a gas that is lighter than the air around it, the air pushes up on the balloon. This upward push is stronger than the balloon's weight, so it floats.

The most common gases used in gas balloons are hydrogen and helium. Hydrogen is very light, but it can be dangerous because it is flammable. Helium is also very light and much safer because it does not burn.

What Are Gas Balloons Used For?

Gas balloons have many important uses today. They are not just for fun flights.

Measuring the Atmosphere

One of the most common uses for gas balloons is to study the atmosphere. These are often called weather balloons. Weather balloons carry small instruments high into the sky. These instruments measure things like temperature, air pressure, and humidity. This information helps scientists understand weather patterns. It also helps them predict the weather more accurately.

Carrying People and Exploring

Some gas balloons are designed to carry people. These balloons can offer amazing views from high above the ground. Early balloon flights were often done with gas balloons. They helped people explore the skies for the first time.

Gas balloons have also been used for long-distance flights and even attempts to fly around the world. Their ability to stay aloft for extended periods makes them useful for such adventures.

A Look Back at Gas Balloon History

The idea of flying with a gas balloon is quite old. People were experimenting with these balloons even before hot air balloons became popular.

The First Gas Balloon Flight

The very first gas balloon flight happened in Paris, France. It was on August 27, 1783. A French scientist named Jacques Charles and two brothers, Les Frères Robert, launched this historic balloon. It was filled with hydrogen gas. This event showed the world that humans could fly using lighter-than-air gases. It was a huge step forward in aviation.

Early Competitions and Events

Ballooning quickly became a popular activity. It even became a sport. For example, at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, there was a ballooning event. This showed how important balloons were in the early days of flight. People were fascinated by the idea of soaring through the air.

Images for kids

• 

  The first launch of a gas balloon by Jacques Charles and Les Frères Robert, 27 August 1783, at the Champ de Mars, Paris.

• 

  1900 Olympics ballooning event at Le Parc d'aerostation, Paris.

See also

In Spanish: Aerostato de gas para niños