Follow the Balloon Leader
You will need
- A balloon
- A ping pong ball
- Paper
- Bubbles (optional)
What to do:
- Blow up a balloon, and tie the end.
- Rub it in your hair
- Then hold it close to the ping pong ball
- Watch the science magic!
What Happens?
When you rub the balloon against your hair, the balloon gets a negative charge. This happens when the balloon takes some electrons from your hair. Now your hair is positively charged, it is attracted to the balloon. That's what happens with the ping pong balls. Remember, opposite charges attract, and same charges repel!
Additional Activity:
Why not try the experiment again with something other than ping pong balls? How about using the paper and bubbles? Will they attract or repel the balloon?
When you rub the balloon against your hair, the balloon gets a negative charge. This happens when the balloon takes some electrons from your hair. Now your hair is positively charged, it is attracted to the balloon. That's what happens with the ping pong balls. Remember, opposite charges attract, and same charges repel!
Additional Activity:
Why not try the experiment again with something other than ping pong balls? How about using the paper and bubbles? Will they attract or repel the balloon?