Are You Ex-Static?
Students learn about the difference between current and static electricity, and specifically how static electricity works by conducting hands-on activities using a balloon or comb.
Students learn about the difference between current and static electricity. They specifically focus on how static electricity works by conducting hands-on activities that involve investigating the types of objects a charged balloon attracts and why.
This virtual outreach activity is split into a pre-activity document - i.e., workshop overview and list of materials with preparation instructions for both the volunteer and educator, a post-activity document - i.e., extra information and resources for the educator after the activity, and a PowerPoint presentation with presenter notes to help lead the workshop virtually.
What You Need
Activity 1: Let's Levitate
- Balloon (or a comb)
- Your hair (or wool)
- Various Small Objects (i.e., feathers, pieces of gift tissue paper, pieces of scrap paper, tinsel, straws, etc.)
Activity 2: Pepper Magic!
- Balloon (can be reused from activity 1)
- Bowl
- 2 tbsp of Salt
- 1 tbsp of Pepper
Activity 3: Water Bender!
- Balloon (or a comb) - Can reuse from activity 1
- Access to a sink
PowerPoint:
Pre-Activity Attachment:
Safety Notes
Ensure you are familiar with Let's Talk Science's precautions with respect to safe delivery of virtual outreach to youth. These precautions can be found in the manual for this activity.
What To Do
Pre-Workshop Prep
Students must complete the following PRIOR to the workshop.
- Blow up the balloon.
- Have a second balloon available if available, in case the first one pops.
- Mix the salt and pepper in a bowl.
Activity 1: Let's Levitate
- Take your balloon without doing anything to it and bring it close to one of your objects. (Does it attract the object? Why or why not?)
- Rub one of the balloons in your hair or with wool. (What do you think is happening in this step?)
- Choose one of your object bowls and bring the balloon towards it? (What's happening? Why?)
- Repeat steps 2-3 with all of your objects.
Activity 2: Salt and Pepper Magic!
- Mix 2 tbsp of salt and 1 tsp of pepper in a bowl.
- Use the wool cloth or your hair to charge the balloon/comb.
- Bring the balloon/comb close to the salt and pepper. What do you observe?
Discovery
Activity 1: Let's Levitate
When the balloon was rubbed against your hair it became negatively charged.
When the balloon was brought near the neutral object (an object that is not charged) two things can occur:
- If the neutral object had more positive charges on the side closest to the balloon - it attracts!
- The negative charge in the balloon is attracted to the positive charges in the gray circle at the top of the slide, so both will move closer together.
- If the neutral object had more negative charges on the side closest to the balloon - it repels!
- The negative charge in the balloon is repelled from the negative charge in the gray circle at the bottom of the slide, so the balloon and circle move away from each other.
This is how charged and neutral objects can interact!
Activity 2: Salt and Pepper Magic!
The pepper grains weigh less than the salt grains. The charged object (balloon or comb) will attract the pepper more. Since the pepper weighs less, it's easier to be lifted and attracted to the comb.
If you are interested in learning more, here is an activity you can try at home!
Activity: Water Bender!
- Charge your comb!
- Open the tap in your kitchen or bathroom sink.
- Bring your charged comb close to the running water and watch the magic!
What's Happening?
Activity 1: Let's Levitate
When the balloon was rubbed against your hair it became negatively charged.
When the balloon was brought near the neutral object (an object that is not charged) two things can occur:
- If the neutral object had more positive charges on the side closest to the balloon - it attracts!
- The negative charge in the balloon is attracted to the positive charges in the gray circle at the top of the slide, so both will move closer together.
- If the neutral object had more negative charges on the side closest to the balloon - it repels!
- The negative charge in the balloon is repelled from the negative charge in the gray circle at the bottom of the slide, so the balloon and circle move away from each other.
This is how charged and neutral objects can interact!
Activity 2: Salt and Pepper Magic!
The pepper grains weigh less than the salt grains. The charged object (balloon or comb) will attract the pepper more. Since the pepper weighs less, it's easier to be lifted and attracted to the comb.
Investigate Further
If you are interested in learning more, here is an activity you can try at home!
Activity: Water Bender!
- Charge your comb!
- Open the tap in your kitchen or bathroom sink.
- Bring your charged comb close to the running water and watch the magic!