Electric charge is a property of matter that builds up when two surfaces rub together. Some materials transfer more charge than others. When you rub a balloon across hair, it gains enough charge to pull tiny paper squares toward it. Hair creates the most static by far, while ceramic tile produces none at all.

Not all materials transfer charge equally — the triboelectric effect varies depending on what surfaces rub together. Rubbing an inflated balloon across hair, polyester, carpet, cotton, nylon, and ceramic tile, then counting the paper squares that stick, makes those differences visible. Hair creates the most static by far, while ceramic tile produces none at all.