Hooked On Science: Static Electricity Ornament
Static Electricity Ornament
INGREDIENTS
- Polystyrene Beads
- Clear Plastic Craft Ornament
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: Remove the cap and hook from the clear plastic craft ornament. Fill the ornament one-fourth of the way with polystyrene beads. Place the cap and hook back onto the ornament.
STEP 2: Rapidly shake the ornament and observe.
EXPLANATION
The polystyrene beads cling to the sides of the ornament due to static electricity, which is a buildup of an electric charge. Rapidly shaking the ornament builds up negative charges on the beads. These charges attract to the positive charges on the ornament, causing the beads to cling to the ornament. Go to www.hookedonscience.org for more experiments that might get you and your family “Hooked on Science.”
