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Static Electricity Detective

Rub a balloon on different materials and test which one gives the strongest static charge.

Grade 4ExperimentScienceElectricityPhysicsData AnalysisBeginner30 to 45 min6 materialsAdult supervision required

What you'll learn

  • Explain that rubbing can move electric charge
  • Use a count of paper bits as a measure of charge
  • Control variables in a fair test

Objective

Compare how well different materials charge a balloon by counting how many paper bits it can pick up.

STEM concepts

Static electricityElectric chargeAttractionFair test
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Materials and safety
Step-by-step instructions
Prediction, test sheet and results
Why does it work, challenge and project report

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