Static electricity and sparks

Science · Energy · ages 11-12

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Like charges attract each other.
Circle one: True False
When you rub a balloon on your hair, what actually happens to the electrons?
- Some move from your hair to the balloon
- They disappear completely
- They turn into protons
Which pair of charges pulls toward each other?
- Two positive charges
- One positive and one negative charge
- Two negative charges
Why does a balloon rubbed on hair stick to a wall?
- The balloon's charge attracts the opposite charge in the wall
- The wall is magnetic
- Electrons jump from the wall straight through the balloon and vanish
A rubbed balloon ends up with extra electrons. What charge does it have now?
- Positive
- No charge at all
- Negative
Inside a storm cloud, ice crystals build up charge by bumping into each other. Which everyday action is most similar to this?
- Plugging in a toaster
- Rubbing a balloon on your hair
- Turning on a flashlight
You rub two balloons on your hair and hold them near each other by their strings. What happens?
- They push apart
- They pull together
- Nothing happens
Mia says lightning happens because clouds get too hot and burst into light. What's wrong with her explanation?
- Nothing, she is right
- Lightning only happens underground
- Lightning is a giant static spark from built-up charge discharging, not heat bursting

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

False · Like charges repel. Only unlike charges, one positive and one negative, attract.
Some move from your hair to the balloon · Rubbing does not create or destroy charge. It moves electrons from one material to the other.
One positive and one negative charge · Opposite charges attract, so a positive charge and a negative charge pull toward each other.
The balloon's charge attracts the opposite charge in the wall · The charged balloon pulls opposite charge in the wall close to its surface, and the attraction holds it in place.
Negative · Electrons carry negative charge, so extra electrons make the balloon negatively charged.
Rubbing a balloon on your hair · Both build up charge through friction between two materials rubbing together.
They push apart · Both balloons pick up the same type of charge from the rubbing, and like charges repel, so they push apart.
Lightning is a giant static spark from built-up charge discharging, not heat bursting · Lightning is a large static discharge, like the small spark you feel after rubbing your socks on carpet, just far bigger.