TRY THIS AT HOME: STATIC RACE

Simple ingredients plus a head of hair and you have science!

You'll need an empty soda can, a filled balloon, and your hair. Place the can on its side on a table or other flat surface. Rub the balloon back and forth on your hair really fast. This allows you to build up electrons on the balloon. This is called static electricity. Hold the balloon close to the can without actually touching it. The can will start to roll towards the balloon! The electrons on the balloon have the power to pull very light objects (with a positive charge) toward them (like the soda can). Explore what you can make your can do using static electricity and then try the challenges below:

Does the size of the balloon change the power of the pull? Try it again with a very full balloon and one that is mostly empty and compare your results.

Does the length of the persons hair effect the power of the static electricity? Get friends and family members involved in figuring this one out!

How much water can you put in the can until the balloon can’t pull it anymore? Test the strength of static electricity!