What is Static Electricity? The buildup of charges on an object. You walk across the rug, reach for the doorknob and..........ZAP!!! You get a static shock. Static electricity makes your hair stand on end. What is going on here?

PARTS OF AN ATOM So what are atoms made of? In the middle of each atom is a "nucleus." The nucleus contains two kinds of tiny particles, called protons and neutrons. Orbiting around the nucleus are even smaller particles called electrons. The 115 kinds of atoms are different from each other because they have different numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons.

ELECTRICAL CHARGES Protons, neutrons and electrons are very different from each other. One property of protons, electrons, and neutrons is called an electrical charge. Protons have what we call a "positive" (+) charge. Electrons have a "negative" (-) charge. Neutrons have no charge, they are neutral.

ELECTRONS CAN MOVE How can we move electrons from one place to another? One very common way is to rub two objects together. If they are made of different materials, electrons may be transferred (or moved) from one to the other. The more rubbing, the more electrons move, and the larger the static charge that builds up.

OPPOSITES ATTRACT Did you ever hear the saying that opposites attract? Well, it's true. Two things with opposite, or different charges (a positive and a negative) will attract, or pull towards each other. Things with the same charge (two positives or two negatives) will repel, or push away from each other.

The Push and the Pull The push or pull between objects that have different charges is an electric force. The electric force field is a way to picture the effects that electric charges have on one another. It is the invisible space between the objects.

Investigate: Rub a Balloon 1. Blow up the balloons, and tie them closed. Use string and tape to hang a balloon from a desk as shown. 2. Rub the silk all over each balloon. Slowly bring the free balloon near the hanging balloon. Observe the balloons. Record your observations. 3. Again rub the silk all over the hanging balloon. Move the silk away. Then slowly bring the silk close to the balloon. Observe the balloon, and record your observations. 4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with wool, plastic wrap, and a paper towel. Materials (tools): Balloons String Masking tape Marker Paper towel Plastic wrap Silk cloth Wool cloth