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Electricity Science Fair Project

Hair Color and Static Electricity

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Hair Color and Static Electricity | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
Does hair color change how much static electricity builds up? You rub an inflated balloon against four natural-hair wigs: black, brown, blond, and red. After six rubs in one direction, you hold the balloon over tiny paper squares. You count how many paper pieces stick to the balloon. Each wig is tested five times. All four hair colors pick up nearly the same number of paper pieces.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that the color of hair does not affect the amount of static electricity it will produce.

Method & Materials

You will use a balloon, copper plate, ground connection, jumper wire, and four natural hair wigs of different colors. You will rub the balloon on the wigs and measure the amount of static electricity produced.
You will need a balloon, copper plate, ground connection, jumper wire, four natural hair wigs of different colors, a flat tray, ruler, piece of letter size paper, and a pen knife.

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Results

The results showed that the black, brown, blond, and red hair wigs produced almost the same amount of electrostatic charges. This proves that the color of hair does not influence the amount of static electricity produced.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting because it shows that the color of hair does not affect the amount of static electricity it produces, even though the physical properties of the hair can.

Also Consider

Consider repeating the experiment using a comb instead of a balloon, or try different types of hair like curly, wavy, and straight. What if the hair is wet? Do you think the amount of static electricity produced will be greater or less?

Full project details

Additional information and source material for this project are available below.

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