Activity Overview
Explore that thrilling science of static electricity with three simple activities. Each short activity will demonstrate the magic of static electricity for scientists of all ages. In the following mini experiments, you will observe the attraction between positive and negative charges. When you charge the balloon on by rubbing it on your shirt, you are giving the balloon ( s) a negative charge, That negative charge is attracted the positive charge that is on objects like you, the t-shirt, or the tissue
Materials Needed
- Balloons
- A T-shirt
- Tissue Paper
- A mirror
How to Do Them
Experiment 1
- Tear up a piece of tissue paper into lots of tiny pieces.
- Lay the tissue paper fragments onto a flat surface.
- Blow up a balloon and tie it off.
- Charge the Balloon on your shirt by rubbing it vigorously against the fabric.
Experiment 2
- Blow up a balloon and tie it off.
- Charge the Balloon on your shirt by rubbing it vigorously against the fabric.
- Hold the Balloon over the top of your hair and observe.
Experiment 3
- Blow up several balloons and tie them off.
- Charge the balloons on your shirt by rubbing them vigorously against the fabric.
- Press the balloons against your t -shirt or pants. Admire how they stick in place.
