A Static Electricity Experiment

Materials

  • Balloons for each student

  • Water, a few paper towels

  • Large wool item, sweater, blanket

  • Confetti

  • Paper plates

Procedure

Students work in pairs. One students chooses case A and the other chooses B. In case A, the student charges the balloon on the wool item and returns to their confetti paper plate to test it. The student who is case B, has wet hands while trying to charge the balloon, they go to their plate and see the result.

Discussion and writing assignment

What’s the only difference between the two students? Did moisture ruin the static electricity?

Students verbally tell what they did and what they learned. Write down words they use that could be used in their writing. Guide the students to say, repeat and then write sentences to show what happened. When a student finishes, they should read their writing to three other students.