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.