Step 1: Pump up the balloon. Stretch the neck and tie a knot in it, so the air does not escape. 
Step 2: Rub the balloon against something woolen to give static electricity to the balloon. 
Step 3: Hold the balloon near running water from a faucet. The water bends toward the balloon.The results were subtle at best. I tried this with many different types of balloons and sinks. It is a good example of static electricity.
The science behind Bend some water
When you rubbed the balloon against the woolen sweater, tiny parts of the atoms in the wool, called ELECTRONS, collected on the balloon. These electrons have a NEGATIVE charge. Remember that, its important. Now that the balloon has a negative charge, it is attracted to things that have a POSITIVE charge. It is similar to the way some magnets are attracted to certain metals.When you bring the negatively charged balloon near the faucet it is attracted to the POSITIVE force of the water. The attraction is strong enough to actually pull the water towards the balloon as it is flowing! It is all thanks to the wonders of static electricity.
1. Does water temperature affect how much the water bends?
2. Does the size of the balloon affect the static power?
3. Does the amount of moisture in that air affect the static power? Try it after someone has taken a shower in the room.
4. Does the material that the balloon is made of or the material it is rubbed against affect the static power?
Lesson Plan
Extended Resources
1. Static Electricity
2. Carla Shoemaker
3. Enchanted Learning
would this work with any object to create static electricity? Very interesting. Great Job!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
ReplyDeleteFun for kids of all ages. I wonder if it would also work if you rub the balloon again your hair? Great job Erin!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. A lot of good information. I like how everything incorporates together. Great job!
ReplyDeleteWould you get shocked after rubbing the balloon on the wool if you happened to touch a door knob????
ReplyDeleteGood job. Would this expeirment work if you just rubbed the ballon on your head instead of a woolen sweater.
ReplyDeleteOk so the water bends towards the ballon when you just get done rubbing it against the wool right? Well if the water hits the ballon how come it loses it's static electricity?.. Like for example if my hair has static in it.. I always put water on it and it goes away!
ReplyDelete