Unleash Your Inner Superhero: Become the ‘Electric Human’ and Light Up a Bulb!
I’m Ken Kuwako, your Science Trainer. Every day is an experiment.
The Electric Human
Static electricity is one of the most common phenomena we encounter in our daily lives. For example, have you ever felt a ‘crackle’ when taking off a sweater on a cold day, or a ‘zap’ when touching a doorknob? All of these are caused by static electricity. Static electricity is an electrical charge that builds up when two materials rub against each other, and it tends to occur more easily in dry weather.
This time, we’ll introduce an experiment where you use this static electricity to become an “Electric Human” and light up a fluorescent bulb. This experiment can be easily done with common household items (though it’s much easier if you use a Van de Graaff generator). It’s a fun and fascinating experiment that lets you experience the wonder of static electricity, so please give it a try!
First, Let’s Light Up a Fluorescent Bulb!
If you accumulate static electricity with a Van de Graaff generator and then touch it while holding a fluorescent bulb, the bulb will glow! It’s quite amazing, isn’t it?
When the bulb lights up, you might feel a slight sting as the electricity flows through your body. This happens because the negative charge released from the Van de Graaff passes through the fluorescent bulb, flows into my body, and escapes to the ground. In other words, a small, momentary current flows through you.
This phenomenon occurs because the gas sealed inside the fluorescent bulb (typically argon or mercury vapor) is excited by the voltage from the Van de Graaff, causing it to emit light. To observe it more clearly, try performing the experiment in a dark room; you’ll get a great view of the bulb’s mystical glow. Understanding this mechanism will surely spark more interest in the electrical mysteries all around us! It’s also interesting that the light is emitted up to the part I’m holding.
Now, let’s get right into charging your body and lighting up that bulb!
Charge Your Body and Make it Glow!
What You’ll Need
An insulating platform (like a plastic chair with rubber on the feet), balloons, a sweater (100% wool is best), a fluorescent bulb, and 1 to 5 friends.
The Method
Put on the 100% wool sweater and stand on the insulating platform.
Have your friends rub you vigorously with the balloons. Keep it up for about one minute. Rubbing hard is the key!
Have a friend hold one end of the fluorescent bulb, and then touch the other end yourself. See if the bulb lights up!
We previously had actress Suzu Hirose try this experiment on a TV show. You can find the details here.
The Science Explained
Standing on the insulating platform makes it difficult for the electricity to escape from your body.
Rub your clothes with the balloons.
Keep going for one minute!
This causes a positive (+) charge to accumulate in your body.
The insulating platform we used on the day. We attached a rubber sheet to the feet to improve performance.
Then, when I hold out the fluorescent bulb and someone else touches it…
Electrons flow from the ground, through my body, and the fluorescent bulb lights up for an instant.
This photo shows the result when we used a special experimental fluorescent bulb that glows in three colors for a clearer demonstration.
Based on the discharge distance, we can estimate that the voltage was around 10,000V. Isn’t it amazing that static electricity can make a fluorescent bulb light up, even for a moment? This is an experiment you can try at home. Turn off the lights when you discharge to see the light from the fluorescent bulb clearly. Interestingly, this experiment was also popular during Japan’s Edo period. Take a look here:
This picture shows a performance where an “Elekiter”—a static electricity generator similar to the Van de Graaff—was used to accumulate electricity in a person, followed by a discharge. This demonstrates that cutting-edge science was a popular form of entertainment and science show in the Edo period.
※ Experiments using static electricity generators must always be conducted under the supervision of an expert. Please proceed with caution.For inquiries regarding static electricity experiments (experiment workshops, TV supervision/appearances, etc.), please contact us here.
※ This experiment was one of the demonstrations conducted with Suzu Hirose on a television program. More details here.
【Feature Article】You Can’t Stop! Static Electricity Experiments
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