Experiment: How does static Electricity make things move?

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Problem : To understand how static electricity causes objects to move. 

Books I found in the library on my topic are: 

Title: Author: 

Fun with Static Electricity Cowley, J. &Mi-Hye, K 

Let’s Get Charged! Baby Professor 

(All About Electricity) 

People I talked to about my topic are: 

Eddie Amoakuh 

Belinda Larbi 

Mrs. Ruth Lambert 

Mrs. Glenn 

Hypothesis: 

I think that when the charged balloon is placed near the soda can, the can will start rolling towards it because a negatively charged object will attract a positively charged object. That is a common principle of static electricity. 

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Materials needed: 

Balloon 

An empty soda can 

Head with hair 

Variables 

Independent variable: static electricity 

Dependent variables: balloon, empty soda can, head 

Variables to be controlled: the rubbing of the balloon on the head 

Procedure: 

Step 1: Put the soda can on one side of the table 

Step 2: fill the balloon with air then rub it back and forth on the hair. 

Step 3: bring the balloon near the can and ensure the two are not touching. The can will roll towards the balloon without touching it. 

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Data Collection table 

Procedure	Did it Work			Average Analysis
	Trial 1	Trial 2	Trial 3
Blowing up the balloon	Balloon burst	Balloon burst	worked	average
Rubbing the balloon on the head	worked	Balloon burst	worked	successful
Introducing the can	failed	worked	worked	successful

Conclusion 

This experiment has taught me a lot about static electricity. As I rubbed the balloon through my hair back and forth, it was charged with negative electrons from the hair. The empty soda can was positively charged as it was not rubbed against any surface. Therefore, when the negatively charged balloon was placed near the soda can, it was attracted the can. This is because the law of electricity states that unlike charges attract. The experiment helped me to prove that static electricity makes objects to move. I’m so proud that the experiment was able to work out although I was worried. The results proved that static electricity makes objects to move by charging them with unlike charges. Simply, objects are charged by rubbing them through certain objects or surfaces. These rubbed objects receive charges which allow them to attract other objects when placed near them. A lot of experiments have been conducted to prove the ability of static electricity especially using the comb and paper. However, being able to perform a successful experiment on static electricity was very interesting. 

Application 

Static electricity is widely used in the modern world for many functions. Its application had made life easier for people. These applications include: 

Static electricity is used spraying cars. The car needs to be painted evenly so that other parts cannot be affected by the paint. Hence, the nozzle of the spray is negatively charged while the car part is given a positive charge. This means that all the droplets from the paint will be attracted to the car part that needs to be sprayed. This is important as it minimizes wastage of paint because the car will be sprayed neatly. It also means that anyone can use the spray without a lot of skill. This can also be used in spraying crops in the farm. 

Static electricity can be used in pollution control especially in factories. Factory workers will charge the dirt particles with a charge and then they will collect them using a collector which is oppositely charged. This reduces pollution to the environment. 

Another application of static electricity is used in the photocopier machine which is very important to people especially in the offices. 

References 

Baby Professor. (2015). Let's Get Charged! (All About Electricity): 5th Grade Science Series: Fifth Grade Books Electricity for Kids. Speedy Publishing, LLC. 

Cowley, J. &Mi-Hye, K. (2016) Fun with Static Electricity. ChoiceMaker Pty Limited.