NOVA Online | Balloon Race Around The World

Balloon Race Around The World menu (see bottom of page for text links)

Hitchin' A Ride!

Ready to use your knowledge of density to take a trip in a hot air balloon? You'll be lifting off in Washington D.C. and landing in Australia. Your meteorologist friend has mapped out the altitude and direction of the wind currents you need to get there.

Map of world, with balloon in Washington, D.C. and jet streams marked

Map of world, with balloon in Washington, D.C. and jet streams marked

You've checked and rechecked all your equipment and it's time to lift off! What are you going to do?

I choose to turn the burner down so that the air will cool.
I choose to turn the burner up to heat the air.