Static Electricity: Make Your Hair Stand Up!
Ages 6-125-10 minutesEasy Difficulty
About This Activity
Learn how electrons move from one object to another to create static electricity, making your hair stand up or objects stick together.
Materials Needed
- A balloon
- A wool sweater or dry hair
- A smooth wall
Safety Notes
- Avoid rubbing balloons on very dry or sensitive skin to prevent irritation.
- Be careful when using balloons around small children as they can pose a choking hazard if popped.
Instructions
- Blow up a balloon and tie it.
- Rub the balloon against your hair or a wool sweater for about 10 seconds.
- Hold the balloon close to your hair and watch as your hair stands up.
- Press the balloon against a smooth wall and let go. Watch how it sticks!
How It Works
When you rub the balloon against your hair, electrons transfer from your hair to the balloon, giving the balloon a negative charge and your hair a positive charge. Since opposite charges attract, your hair strands lift toward the balloon, and the balloon can even stick to a wall due to the attraction of opposite charges.
Tips for Success
- Try rubbing the balloon on different materials, like a wool scarf or a cotton shirt, and observe any differences.
- Use a second balloon and see if they repel each other after rubbing them both on your hair.
- Walk on a carpet with socks and then touch a metal doorknob to see if you feel a small static shock!