Experiment #1: Balloons and Cheerios!

In my first attempt to study static electricity, I will test it using a balloon and a Cheerio. My hypothesis is that the balloon will essentially have no effect on the Cheerio. I say this because I doubt that the cereal is charged, making it neutral. Wouldn’t this mean that regardless of the charge of the balloon, the Cheerio should remain unaffected since it is neutral, therefore not being attracted or repelled by a positive or negative charge? Let’s investigate this confusing conundrum!

I will charge the balloon with my hair and bring it near the Cheerio to see if the charged balloon effects it.

Materials:

           - a balloon or a bright pink comb

           - a Cheerio (I have 2 just in case!)

           - some thread 

           - tape

Procedure:

1. Blow up the balloon.

2. Tie the piece of thread to the Cheerio. The thread will be hanging from the table.

3. Tape the thread and Cheerio to the table, so that it hangs freely.

4. Rub the balloon vigorously on your hair in order to charge the balloon. (You may also use a bright pink comb if you wish.)

5. Very slowly, bring the balloon near the hanging Cheerio. As the balloon approaches the Cheerio, watch what happens to the Cheerio!

I am shocked! It seems that the hanging Cheerio moves towards the balloon. But how is this possible?! You see, the balloon becomes negatively charged when it is rubbed against my hair. Electrons travel from my hair onto the balloon. This negatively charged balloon attracts the neutral Cheerio. The balloon attracts the positive components of the Cheerio and thus, can hold the hanging Cheerio in mid-swing.

Experiment 2: Balloons and Water!

In my second attempt to study static electricity, I will test it using a balloon and water! My hypothesis is that as the water flows out of the tap, gravity will be pulling too hard on the water streaming out of the tap to let static electricity effect its flow. I mean, come on. With great difficulty, I can barely adjust the shower head to spray in the direction I want. How will a measly charged balloon move water?! Let’s investigate this ridiculous riddle!

I will charge the balloon with my hair and bring it near the water to see if the charged balloon effects it.

Materials:

-         a balloon

-         a tap with running water

 

Procedure:

1. Blow up the balloon.

2. Turn on the tap so that a very thin flow of water is streaming out.

3. Rub the balloon vigorously on your hair.

4. Slowly move the balloon towards the water falling in the sink. As the balloon approaches the water, watch what happens to the water!

Static electricity has shocked me yet again! How is it that the slight charge of the balloon can interrupt the stream of a flowing tap?! You see, similar to the Cheerios, the neutral water is attracted to the negatively charged balloon. So much so that the water actually bends at the will of the balloon! Talk about a submissive relationship.

Experiment 3: Balloons and Condiments!

In my third attempt to study static electricity, I will test it using a balloon and a bowl of salt and pepper. My hypothesis is that even though the negatively-charged balloon has proved superior to flowing water and hanging cheerios, in this experiment, I do not think the balloon will actually be able to lift the salt and pepper out of the bowl. This is a direct force that opposes gravity. Honestly, is it even a question? The salt and pepper will be resilient against the balloon. Let’s investigate this difficult dilemma!

Materials: 

  - a balloon

   - a bowl of salt and pepper

 

 Procedure:

1. Blow up the balloon.

2. Rub the balloon vigorously on your hair.

3. Hovering the balloon over the bowl, bring the balloon closer to the salt and pepper and watch what happens to the condiments!

Static electricity, these shocking revelations are messing up my hair! How is it that the negatively charged balloon could pull up the salt and pepper from the bowl and then hold the condiments even after the balloon is removed from the bowl? You see, the neutral salt and pepper is attracted to the negatively charged balloon. The force of attraction is stronger than the force of gravity between the condiments and the Earth. Thus, the condiments dance upwards towards the balloon. Sounds a lot like Broadway, if you ask me.