Static Electricity
When you comb your hair you may notice that it sometimes stands straight
up and stick to the comb. It is called static energy. As we all know all
things are made up of tiny particles called atoms. When you rub your
hair with a comb the outer layer of electrons are rubbed-off allowing
the static electricity to take place.
Repelling
Try to rub two balloons against your sweater and tie them to a stick
with the rubbed sides facing each other. Since both balloons have the same
charge, they will swing away from one another.
Make it work
By using electroscope you may test the presence and strength of
static electricity.
You will need
- Glass jar with a plastic lid
- Bare wire
- Foil from a candy wrapper
- aluminum foil
- plastic pen or ruler
- piece of silk or wool
Procedures:
- Ask an adult to help you push a piece of wire through the lid of a jar.
- Bend one end of the wire and drape a thin piece of foil from a candy
wrapper over it.
- Crumple a ball of aluminum foil around the other end.
- Rub a plastic pen with a piece of silk or wool, then hold it over the
foil ball. If the pen is charged, the candy wrapper will move.
- Try
rubbing some other objects and see what happens.
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