Grade 6
Physics
4. Electromagnetism
Study Guide: Static Electricity
Balloon Demonstrations
Materials
| Qty | Item |
|---|---|
| 2 | Toy balloons |
| 1 | Empty aluminum soda can |
| 1 | One to two foot section of PCV pipe |
| 1 | Roll of string |
| 1 | Piece of fur, wool, or other material for creating static through friction. |
Triboelectric Series
| Positive Charge | |
|---|---|
| Dry human skin | Greatest tendency to giving up electrons and becoming highly positive (+) in charge |
| Leather | |
| Rabbit fur | Fur is often used to create static electricity |
| Glass | The glass on your TV screen gets charged and collects dust |
| Human hair | “Flyaway hair” is a good example of having a moderate positive (+) charge |
| Nylon | |
| Wool | |
| Lead | A surprise that lead would collect as much static electricity as cat fur |
| Cat fur | |
| Silk | |
| Aluminum | Gives up some electrons |
| Paper |
| Neutral Material | |
|---|---|
| Cotton | Best for non-static clothes |
| Steel | Not useful for static electricity |
| Negative Charge | |
|---|---|
| Wood | Attracts some electrons, but is almost neutral |
| Amber | |
| Hard rubber | Some combs are made of hard rubber |
| Nickel, Copper | Copper brushes used in Wimshurst electrostatic generator |
| Brass, Silver | |
| Gold, Platinum | It is surprising that these metals attract electrons almost as much as polyester |
| Polyester | Clothes have static cling |
| Styrene (Styrofoam) | Packing material seems to stick to everything |
| Saran Wrap | You can see how Saran Wrap will stick to things |
| Polyurethane | |
| Polyethylene (like Scotch Tape) | Pull Scotch Tape off surface and it will become charged |
| Polypropylene | |
| Vinyl (PVC) | Many electrons will collect on PVC surface |
| Silicon | |
| Teflon | Greatest tendency of gathering electrons on its surface and becoming highly negative (-) in charge |
Static Electricity: Part 1
Static Electricity: Part 1
Static Electricity—Triboelectric Series (11:00)
Static Electricity Box - Dancing Foam Pith Balls (3:25)
Source: //study/physics-6/electricity-static/