Static electricity — Physics, 4–6 years
Sometimes electric charge gathers on the surface of an object instead of flowing through a circuit. This can make hair rise, a balloon cling to a wall or a tiny spark jump when two objects meet.
Static electricity
When two different materials rub, some tiny electric charges can move from one surface to the other. The charge can stay in one place for a while, so it is called static, meaning still. A charged object may attract light things, such as small paper pieces, without touching them first.
Why notice static charge?
People noticed tiny shocks after walking on a floor or pulling off clothing, and saw that dust and hair could cling to objects. These odd events needed an explanation different from a battery-powered circuit. Static electricity explains a charge that builds up and then suddenly moves away. It is usually small, but it can be surprising.
A balloon and paper
Cut or tear ten tiny paper pieces and place them on a table. Rub a balloon on dry hair or a wool jumper for about ten seconds. Hold the balloon just above the paper. Several pieces jump up and cling to it. Rubbing moved charge onto the balloon; its charge attracted the light paper for a short time.
“It must be a magnet”
It is reasonable to think a balloon acts like a magnet when it attracts paper without touching it. Both effects can happen at a distance. But static charge comes from rubbing and may fade, while a magnet has magnetic poles and does not need rubbing. A charged balloon can attract paper, hair or dust, not only certain metals.
Static charge around us
Static electricity can make clothes cling after a tumble in a dryer, and it can make hair stand up when a hat is removed. A tiny spark may jump from a finger to a metal handle on a dry day. Printers and factories also control static charge so ink or powder goes to the right place. It is not the same as electricity flowing through a circuit.
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