
Static Charge from Different Fabrics
Medium
Which material gives a balloon the strongest static charge? You rub an inflated balloon five times across six surfaces: hair, polyester, carpet, cotton, nylon, and ceramic tile.
After each rub you hold the balloon over tiny paper squares and count how many stick. Between tests you roll the balloon on a grounded copper plate to drain any leftover charge.
Hair creates the most static by far. Ceramic tile produces none at all.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that human hair will have the highest amount of static electricity.
Method & Materials
You will connect a copper plate to a ground connection, cut a sheet of paper into small pieces, inflate a balloon, and rub it on different materials.
You will need a balloon, copper plate, ground connection, jumper wire, human hair, polyester cloth, carpet, cotton cloth, nylon cloth, ceramic tile, flat tray, ruler, sheet of paper, and paper knife.
MEL Physics — monthly physics experiment kits delivered to your door. (Affiliate link)
See what’s includedResults
The results showed that different materials had different amounts of static charges. The balloon picked up the highest number of paper pieces after being rubbed against the hair.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it shows how static electricity works and how different materials can have different amounts of static electricity.
Also Consider
Consider repeating the experiment to see how much the balloon will “pull” or attract a small stream of water flowing from the tap. Also, try using a comb instead of a balloon.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related videos
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
Share this Science Project:
Related Science Fair Project Ideas
Insert copper electrodes into sand, clay, loam, and fertilized loam to discover which soil carries the strongest electrical current.
Medium
Measure LED bulbs from 1.5 to 10.5 watts with a lux meter and find which tiny wattage matches a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
Medium
Rub a balloon on four different-colored wigs and count paper squares to see which hair color builds the most static charge.
Medium
Share this Science Project:
