Experiments with Static Electricity

by Laura Torres | More from this Blogger

22 Mar 2006 11:28 PM

Science can be hair-raising fun! You can teach your kids about static electrity while doing these activities.

Super Sparker

My favorite activity comes from the Exploratorium, a hands-on science museum in San Francisco. On their website, there is a great, simple experiment using a pie tin a styrofoam tray that will introduce your kids to why they get shocked when they rub their feet along the carpet and then, say, touch a doorknob. The experiment also teaches them why lightning happens. Check it out here:

© The Exploratorium, exploratorium.edu

Sticking Time

Your kids have probably rubbed a balloon on their heads and stuck it to the wall (who hasn't?), but they might not know the science behind it. Have them rub a balloon on their head and stick it to the wall in the living room or play room. Time it to see how long it sticks there. Now have them do the same thing in a more humid place, like the kitchen or bathroom, especially after someone's taken a shower or run the dishwasher. They will notice that the balloon won't stick very long in the humid place.

Why? If you rub a balloon on your hair, it gets "charged." This means that it has picked up extra electrons with a negative charge. When you then put it against the wall, which is not charged one way or the other, the extra negatives on the balloon attract the positive electrons in the wall, and the balloon sticks! You can explain to your kids that as the extra negative electrons wear off, the balloon doesn't stick anymore. And it doesn't stick as long in a humid environment because the water in the air helps move the extra charged electrons off the balloon.

Your kids might also wonder why your kids are walking around with their hair sticking up all over after they've rubbed the balloon on their heads. It's because their hairs are positively charges and positive charges repel each other, so the hairs are trying to stay as far away from each other as possible.

Learn more about Laura Torres

Laura Torres is the best-selling author of many books for kids and teens, and a party planner. Check out her website at lauratorres.com.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger