What is Static Electricity?
Static Electricity is a charge that can build up when two things are rubbed together
...exploring Static Electricity!
Matching charges of static electricity push each other away (repel) while opposite charges attract each other.
Science Wows!
Dr. How's
How Does Lightning Work?
Lightning is caused by a build up of static electricity in clouds. As the charge in the cloud grows the base of the cloud builds up a strong negative charge. This negative static charge creates a build up of positive charge in the ground below. If the attraction between the cloud and the ground (or between two clouds) becomes strong enough, a spark of lightning will jump between the two.
Lets learn more!
Everything is made up of atoms. An atom is the smallest piece you can break any object down to while still maintaining its properties. Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons have a positive (+) charge, neutrons have no charge (neutral) and electrons have a negative (-) charge. At the centre of each atom is a nucleus, this is where the protons and nuetrons are found. The eletrons are found to the edge of the atom, they are constantly moving in a circular motion around the nucleus.
Nucleus Electron
This lightning is a giant spark of moving electrons travelling between the cloud and the ground. Did you know... that the heat of a lightning bolt is hotter than the surface of the sun?
Experiments you can try
Junior science by Naomi Lavelle
When two objects are rubbed together electrons may pass from one to the other, making one more positively charged and the other more negatively charged. This charge is Static Electricity.
You will need... A balloon and a good head of hair!
Blow up the balloon and tie it tight. Rub the balloon all around your hair (this is called charging the balloon). Now move the balloon slowly away from your head and watch your hair stand on end! So What is happening?
Hair Raising Fun
You will need... A balloon, a good head of hair and an empty aluminium can!
Attract a Can
Charge the balloon on your hair as before. Lay the empty aluminium can on its side on a table. Then bring the charged balloon close to the can, but do not let it touch it. Slowly draw the balloon away from the can and watch the can follow!
When the balloon is rubbed on your hair electrons are passed from your hair to the balloon. This gives the balloon a negative charge and your hair a positive charge. As opposites attract your hair is attracted to the balloon and sticks to it while you pull it away.
Experiments you can try
So what is happening? Both the aluminium can and the water become attracted to the negatively charged balloon as the area around them becomes positively charged!
You will need... A balloon, a good head of hair and a running tap!
Bending Water
Turn on a tap to a small, steady stream of water and leave it running. Charge the balloon on your hair as before. Bring the charged balloon close to the stream of water and you should see the stream of water bend towards the balloon!.
Some things give up or take on electrons more easily Objects can be than others ranked according to how easily they give up or take on electrons and this ranking is called the triboelectric series.
Things listed at the top of the triboelectric series give up electrons more easily than those ranked below
Experiments you can try