CU 4.19Static Electricity
The child rubs a balloon on hair or wool and sees it pull bits of paper, lift hair, and stick to a wall.
Presentation
Search videos (opens YouTube in a new tab)- 1
Hold the balloon over the paper bits. Nothing happens.
- 2
Rub the balloon quickly on the wool or on the child's hair for a slow count of ten.
- 3
Hold it just above the paper bits. Watch them jump up and cling.
- 4
Hold the rubbed balloon near the child's hair and watch the hair lift.
- 5
Say: 'Rubbing gave the balloon a charge. This is called static electricity.'
- 6
Rub again and press the balloon to the wall. Watch it stay.
- 7
Invite the child to try with the balloon and then with the comb.
What catches the child’s eye
- Paper bits leaping up to the balloon before it touches them
- Hair rising and following the balloon
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Test what else static lifts: salt, pepper, tissue
- Bend a thin stream of tap water with a rubbed comb
- Compare a dry winter day with a humid day
- Talk about the small shock felt when touching a doorknob after walking on carpet
Control of error
The paper bits show the result: they jump to the balloon when it is charged and not when it is not.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Charges the balloon and lifts paper bits
- Uses the words static electricity
- Says that rubbing makes the charge
Guide note
Only the guide blows up balloons; pick up broken pieces at once, a choking hazard. Check for latex allergies and use the comb instead if needed. Utah's dry winter air makes this work best then.