Balloons and Static Electricity PhET Simulation

Look at the balloon. What can you say about its charge? (Hint: count both types of charges)

• The balloon is only negatively charged.
• The balloon is only positively charged.
• The balloon has a neutral charge.

Click and drag the balloon and rub it against the sweater. What happens to the balloon?

• The balloon loses all charge.
• The balloon becomes positively charged.
• The balloon remains neutral.
• The balloon becomes negatively charged.

How did the balloon get charged, with what type of charge?

• The balloon gets negatively charged by rubbing it on the sweater.

• The balloon gets positively charged by rubbing it on the sweater.

• The balloon remains neutral.
• The balloon gets charged with static electricity.

Where did that charge come from?

What happened to the sweater? How did it get charged?

Bring the balloon in the middle, between the sweater and the wall. What happens to the balloon when you let it go? Explain.

What is the overall charge of the wall?

• Positive charge
• Negative charge
• Neutral charge

What do you think will happen when the balloon is brought close to the wall?

• The balloon will be attracted to the wall.
• The balloon will burst upon contact with the wall.
• The balloon will float away from the wall.

Bring the balloon in contact with the wall. What happens to the charges in the wall?

• The negative charges in the wall move away from the balloon.

• The charges in the wall disperse evenly.
• The wall absorbs the balloon's charge completely.
• The wall becomes negatively charged.

Let go of the balloon. What happens? Explain.