The Invisible Force: How to Make Static Electricity Dance with Just a Balloon!
Hi, I’m Ken Kuwako, your Science Trainer. Every day is an experiment!
That mysterious “snap” and “crackle” when you take off your sweater on a cold winter day. The way your hair stands up poof! after rubbing it with a plastic ruler. Everyone has experienced these things, right? These phenomena, which seem almost like magic, are actually caused by an invisible, tiny force called static electricity.
Today, I’m going to introduce a super simple experiment that will help you “visualize” the power of static electricity that surrounds us every day. Just by hanging a balloon from the ceiling, you can clearly see the effects of static electricity’s force. Now, let’s use the video below as a hint and uncover the true nature of this scientific magic together!
Through this experiment, you will explore the forces acting on the balloon and the conditions under which this phenomenon occurs. By doing so, you’ll gain an incredibly clear understanding of how static electricity works. Now, let the adventure into the world of electric charge begin!
What You’ll Need
Two Balloons
String
A Handkerchief or Towel (A dry material like wool or silk is recommended)
The Experiment (Step-by-Step)
１ Inflate one balloon and hang it from the ceiling with a string. It should be able to swing freely.
２ Rub the hanging balloon vigorously with the handkerchief about 10 times, moving in one direction.
３ Rub the second balloon with the handkerchief in the same way, and slowly bring it close to the balloon hanging from the ceiling. What happens?
４ Next, bring the handkerchief (the one you used to rub the balloons) close to the hanging balloon. Is the reaction the same as before?
５ Finally, rub a balloon against your own clothes or hair, and then approach the hanging balloon. Something mysterious might happen!
Unraveling the Experiment’s Mechanism!
You should have observed some strange movements in the experiment—the balloons either running away or sticking together. The key to this phenomenon is the positive (+) and negative (-) charges that all matter possesses.
Normally, matter is electrically neutral because it has an equal amount of positive and negative charge. However, when you rub two different materials together, electrons (which carry a negative charge) can move from one object to the other. This is the true identity of static electricity.
Whether electrons are likely to move is determined by the type of material. The order of how easily materials become charged is shown in this chart, called the Triboelectric Series.
From my book, “Science Test Grade 3 & 4” (Kodansha, Ken Kuwako)
The further apart two materials are on this list, the more likely they are to generate static electricity when rubbed together. For example, when you rub a balloon (Rubber) with a handkerchief (let’s assume it’s Silk), electrons will move from the silk (on the right) to the rubber (on the left) in the Triboelectric Series.
As a result, the balloon gains many electrons and becomes negatively charged, while the handkerchief loses electrons and becomes positively charged.
Electricity follows a very important rule:
Charges of the same kind (negative & negative, positive & positive) repel (push away).
Charges of different kinds (positive & negative) attract (pull toward each other).
Now, keeping this rule in mind, let’s look at the results of our experiment…
【Result 1】When you bring two rubbed balloons close together…
Since both balloons are negatively charged, they repel each other, essentially shouting, “Go away!” Isn’t it fascinating that a force can work without even touching?
【Result 2】When you bring the rubbed handkerchief close…
This time, you have the negative balloon and the positive handkerchief, so they attract each other, like saying, “I love you!”
【Result 3】When you bring yourself close to the balloon…
Astonishingly, you were also attracted to the balloon! This happens because when you rubbed the balloon on your body, electrons moved from your body to the balloon, making you positively charged. You become a human magnet! In this way, the invisible “migration of electrons” is what causes these seemingly magical phenomena.
See Even More Powerful Static Electricity!
“I want to see even stronger static electricity!” Fulfilling the dream of every science enthusiast is the Van de Graaff generator, a machine that creates static electricity. This incredible device can amplify the static electricity you see at home to lightning-level power!
We’ve also published videos of fun experiments using the Van de Graaff. These include experiments conducted on TV programs with many celebrities, such as Suzu Hirose, Ryohei Suzuki, Yasuko, and Osada and Matsuo from Chocolate Planet!
*Note: Experiments using a static electricity generator (Van de Graaff) are extremely dangerous and must only be conducted under the supervision of a professional. For requests regarding static electricity experiments (science classes, TV supervision/appearances, etc.), please contact us here.
【Special Feature】Static Electricity Experiments You Can’t Stop Doing!
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