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Lighter-than-air for Dummies

adjective

pronunciation: 'laɪtər_ðən_'ɜr

What does Lighter-than-air really mean?

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Hey there! I'm here to help you understand the meaning of the term "lighter-than-air." So imagine you're holding two balloons, each filled with gas. One balloon is big and round, and the other one is small and square. Now, imagine you let go of both balloons. Which one would go up into the sky? You got it! It would be the big, round balloon, right? That's because it's filled with a type of gas that is lighter than the air around it.

In simpler terms, "lighter-than-air" refers to something that is less heavy than the air it displaces. When an object is lighter than the air, it can float or rise up because the air pushes against it and lifts it up. Just like when you blow into a balloon and let it go, it floats upwards because the gas inside is lighter than the air. It's pretty similar to how a boat floats on water. The boat is designed in a way that it's lighter than the water it's placed in, allowing it to stay afloat.

Now, when we talk about "lighter-than-air," we often refer to things like balloons, blimps, and airships. These objects are filled with special gases, such as helium or hydrogen, that are lighter than the air. This makes them able to float and move through the sky. They can go up, down, and even change direction by controlling their engines or using winds. This concept is used in things like hot air balloons and those big advertising blimps you sometimes see in the sky.

But wait, there's more! The term "lighter-than-air" can also be used in a metaphorical sense, meaning something that feels like it's not weighing you down. For example, when we say "Her jokes made the atmosphere lighter-than-air," we mean that her jokes made everyone feel happier and helped create a lighthearted atmosphere.

So, in a nutshell, "lighter-than-air" means something that is less heavy than the air around it, allowing it to float or rise up. It can be used to describe objects like balloons and blimps, as well as creating a metaphorical sense of something that lightens the mood. I hope this explanation helps you understand the term better!

Revised and Fact checked by Megan Brown on 2023-10-29 01:47:17

Lighter-than-air In a sentece

Learn how to use Lighter-than-air inside a sentece

  • Balloons are lighter-than-air because they are filled with gases that are less dense than the surrounding air, allowing them to float in the sky.
  • Blimps and airships are examples of lighter-than-air vehicles as they are designed to be filled with gas that is lighter than the air, enabling them to fly.
  • Clouds are lighter-than-air formations made up of water vapor and tiny water droplets that are so light they can float in the atmosphere.
  • A feather is lighter-than-air because it is made up of very thin and light materials, causing it to be easily carried by even the slightest breeze.
  • In physics, a helium-filled balloon is often used as an example of a lighter-than-air object because helium gas is lighter than the surrounding air, causing the balloon to rise.

Lighter-than-air Similar Words

Words that similar to the original word, but are not synonyms.

Lighter-than-air Category

The domain category to which the original word belongs.