Sphere (1998)

Center of Gravity | Definition, Equation & Examples

Flames tend to be spherical in the absence of gravity because there is no gravitational force to create the buoyant convection that lifts hot gases and pulls cooler air in. In microgravity, the flame expands equally in all directions, forming a sphere. This differs from Earth, where gravity pulls denser, cooler air down to the flame, which rises as it heats, resulting in the typical teardrop shape. On Earth, the flame's teardrop shape is due to buoyant convection. Hot, less dense air rises, and