Ugh! Socks sticking to my t-shirt! When I run across the carpet, I shock my friends! Mom, what is this??
This goes back to basic science! Remember that everything is made up of atoms and atoms have 3 parts to them – neutrons, protons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons are at the center of an atom, together they make up the nucleus (remember our
atom model for kids). Electrons circle the nucleus.
Of the three, electrons are easier to “lose” because the force that binds them to the atom’s nuclei is weaker than the other two. When you rub 2 objects together, the electrons mix. Negatively-charged electrons, or an object that is negatively charged, will attach itself or bring a positively charged object to itself –
that is static electricity.
Neat, right?
When something gains an imbalance of electrons (more or less than the number of protons in an atom) there is an attraction, as the negative charged object draws other electrons from other atoms, in other objects to itself.
What is static electricity?
Ways you can observe static electricity:
- Blow up a balloon and rub it against your head. Watch the hair stand up on end. It is especially fun to see on lighter toddler hair!
- Turn on the sink faucet so that the water runs in a small, steady stream. Rub the balloon on your head a few times, then move it near the water. Watch what happens to the stream of water, does it bend away from the balloon without being touched?
- Blow up a second balloon and tie the end of it to a string. Tape the end of the string to a center of the doorway, so that the balloon hangs down. Rub the first balloon on your head again, then slowly move it toward the one that is hanging in the door. What happens? Did the hanging balloon move away?
- Place an empty soda can on it’s side on a flat surface like a table or smooth floor. Rub the balloon on your head a few times, then hold the balloon close to the can without actually touching the can. What happened to the can? Did it roll away?
How is Static Electricity Working?
When you rub the balloon on your head, the balloon pulls electrons from your hair. The negatively charged balloon then attracts the positively charged objects, such as your hair, the other balloon, the soda can, even running water!
Like this experiment? Check out our experiment on
Magnetic Dollars, how the ink in the US dollar reacts to magnets.
My kids did a neat static electricity demo last week using rubbed plastic pipe to move soda cans without touching them. Made them feel like real Jedi using “the force”!
My kids will love this
See- this is exactly why we have a toddler. Everyone loves crazy toddler hair, lol! Thanks for linking to Kids Get Crafty! Alissa and Maggy
This would be a fun activity to do with our playschool children!
I came here by way of what Are Little Boys Made Of. My offering is here:
http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2012/04/wonderfull-full-of-wonder-wednesday_11.html
My son and I didn’t do the water part, but he loved sticking the balloons on the wall. He wanted to see if they would stay there all night long! (they didn’t)
Thanks for the reminder that science is all around us! Can’t wait to enjoy this teachable moment with my kiddos. 🙂
YAY! I’m so glad that everyone enjoyed this post – my kids LOVED to play with the balloons and totally gobbled up the learning behind it! So fun! Thanks for all your comments!
My kids will love this! This is science fun in action. Visiting from the Hop!
My kids still think it’s fun to rub balloons on their hair and watch it get all staticky and stand up straight! Fun way to learn, that’s for sure!
What fun! JDaniel would love to see the can roll!