STEM Aviation Lesson 3-1: Lighter Than Air Craft

This lesson provides an overview of the history and theory of “lighter than air” flight. Additionally, the concepts of blimps and airships offers students and opportunity to re-examine the three phases of matter (solids, liquids and gases) and their properties in terms of internal energy, particle spacing and compressibility. The program touches on the Periodic Table of Elements and is used to show trends and give practical examples of those elements (particularly gases) that are “lighter than air” at room temperature. These identified elements are compared in terms of such properties as size and combustibility. The differences between hot air balloons and airships are discussed in addition to highlighting the differences between rigid airships, semi-rigid airships and blimps.