Book 3, Question 59 · Video
Why Do Chimneys Go Up?
Hot smoke is lighter than cool air, so it rises. A tall chimney is a one-way tube that gives that rising air a path out of the house. Let's find out how it works!
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do chimneys go up?
The Big Idea
Hot smoke is lighter than cool air, so it rises. A tall chimney is a one-way tube that gives that rising air a path out of the house. Let's find out how it works!
Fire Makes Heat, Hot Air Rises
Step one: fire makes heat, and the hot air rises. Burning wood or gas heats the air in the flue. Warm air is less dense, so it floats upward.
The Tube Guides It
Step two: the tube guides it. Brick or metal walls keep the rising air in one column. This is called the stack effect. The taller the tube, the stronger the upward draft.
Fresh Air In, Smoke Exits
Step three: fresh air comes in, and the smoke exits. Cool room air is pulled toward the fire, to replace the air that rose. Smoke leaves above the roof, instead of going into the living room.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at a chimney! The firebox is where the fire burns. The damper opens and closes the passage. The flue is the inner smoke highway. And the chimney cap keeps rain and birds out.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Creosote is sticky soot that must be cleaned, or it can catch fire. The word flue means the inner smoke highway. A chimney cap keeps rain and birds from falling in. Factory smokestacks are extra tall, so smoke starts high above nearby people.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up watching, hold a pinwheel above a warm lamp. Then hold it beside the lamp. Which spot makes it spin? That's because heat rises!
Outro
Chimneys use rising hot air to send smoke up and away. Heat rises, and science shines! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!