The Professional Development Service for Teachers is funded by the Department of Education and Science under the National Development Plan Static Electricity Try these demonstrations in the lab. Don’t forget your hair dryer to improve the results! M.D.
Plasma Ball Why does the glass turn pink when the charge strikes it? What happens if you place your hand on it? Why?
Try two people touching it.
Predict what will happen if you bring the fluorescent bulb towards the plasma ball.
Why does this happen? What if you hold the bulb in the middle?
Why does this happen? Try holding it in different positions.
Take a neon bulb and hold it towards the plasma ball. What happens and why?
How far away from it can you hold it and get it to light up?
Place the hair/place your hands on top of the Van de Graaff and charge it up. What will happen to the hair? Van de Graaff Generator
Why does this happen to the hair? What happens if you earth it? Why?
Place some tin foil bun cases sitting on top of each other on the Van de Graaff. Predict what will happen when you charge it.
Why does this happen?
Hold tissue paper close to the dome while it is charged and let go. What will happen?
Why is it attracted to the dome but then jumps off? Try this with bubbles!
Try getting the rice krispies to dance or the energy bulb to light up too!
Rub the balloon on your hair/jumper and hold close to the running water. What will happen? Static & Balloons
Why does this happen? Static & Balloons
Hang two balloons by thread from your ceiling. Charge them both using your hair/jumper. What will happen?
Why does this happen? What will happen if you place a piece of paper between them?
Why does this happen?
Check out and register for free. Search make an electroscope for this fun demo! Charge the polystyrene foam and place the electroscope on top. What happens to the tin foil ball? Why? What if you bring your finger towards the ball? Why?
Check out Check out: ch for animations on spray painting cars and using static to pick up paper. ch