3 October 2025
The flying teabag experiment is a simple and dramatic demonstration of convection and the principles behind hot air balloons.
How the Experiment Works
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A standard paper tea bag is emptied of its tea leaves and unfolded to form a hollow cylinder or tube.
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The cylinder is stood vertically on a non-flammable surface.
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The top of the tea bag is lit on fire.
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The flame burns steadily down the paper cylinder.
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Just as the flame reaches the bottom, the remaining lightweight ash from the tea bag lifts off and soars into the air.
Posted by Charlotte Ashton
