Static Electricity: Balloon & Paper Magic
Ages 6-125-10 minutesEasy Difficulty
About This Activity
See static electricity in action by rubbing a balloon to create an electric charge that attracts small objects.
Materials Needed
- A balloon
- Small pieces of paper
- A sweater or wool cloth
Safety Notes
- Avoid rubbing the balloon too much on your hair if you have sensitive skin.
- Be careful with small paper pieces to avoid making a mess.
Instructions
- 1. Blow up a balloon and tie it.
- 2. Rub the balloon against your hair or a wool sweater for about 10 seconds.
- 3. Hold the balloon near small pieces of paper and watch as they jump toward the balloon!
- 4. Try using different materials (like a plastic comb) to see if they create static electricity too.
How It Works
When you rub the balloon on your hair or a sweater, electrons move from one surface to another, giving the balloon an electric charge. This charge attracts the paper pieces, just like a magnet!
Tips for Success
- Try the experiment on different materials to see which creates the strongest static charge.
- See if you can use the charged balloon to move small aluminum foil pieces or make your hair stand up!