Hot Air Balloon: The Science Behind Its Ascent

How does the heater in a hot air balloon contribute to the balloon's ascent?

Answer:

The heater in a hot air balloon contributes to the balloon's ascent by heating the air inside, making it less dense and causing the balloon to rise.

When the heater in a hot air balloon is activated, it warms up the air inside the balloon. As the air gets heated, its molecules gain energy and move faster, causing them to spread out. This expansion of the air makes it less dense compared to the cooler air outside the balloon.

Since objects with less density tend to rise in denser surroundings, the hot air inside the balloon creates a buoyant force that causes the balloon to ascend.