Uploaded October 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
SPOOKtacular dancing!
Equipment and reagents: paper towel, scissors, balloon, tape.
Cut some ghosts out of a paper towel and tape them to a table. Rub a balloon vigorously on your hair and hold it close to the paper ghosts. They begin to dance!
Everything around us is ultimately made of atoms, which in turn are composed largely of charged particles known as protons and electrons. Protons are positively charged, while electrons are negatively charged. Normally, they compensate for each other, resulting in an object with a neutral charge. When two objects are subjected to frictional forces against each other, the surface atoms layer of one object can give some of its external electrons to the other. The object that gives up electrons gains a positive charge and the object that accepts electrons gains a negative charge. When we rub a balloon on our hair, its surface accepts some electrons and it thus acquires a negative charge. An electric field appears around it, which can affect positively- and neutrally-charged objects. This is why the paper ghosts are attracted to the balloon.
Go beyond physical experiments! Perform chemistry experiments at home with sets from the MEL Chemistry subscription!
Safety precautions: Only under adult supervision.
SPOOKtacular dancing!
Equipment and reagents: paper towel, scissors, balloon, tape.
Cut some ghosts out of a paper towel and tape them to a table. Rub a balloon vigorously on your hair and hold it close to the paper ghosts. They begin to dance!
Everything around us is ultimately made of atoms, which in turn are composed largely of charged particles known as protons and electrons. Protons are positively charged, while electrons are negatively charged. Normally, they compensate for each other, resulting in an object with a neutral charge. When two objects are subjected to frictional forces against each other, the surface atoms layer of one object can give some of its external electrons to the other. The object that gives up electrons gains a positive charge and the object that accepts electrons gains a negative charge. When we rub a balloon on our hair, its surface accepts some electrons and it thus acquires a negative charge. An electric field appears around it, which can affect positively- and neutrally-charged objects. This is why the paper ghosts are attracted to the balloon.
Go beyond physical experiments! Perform chemistry experiments at home with sets from the MEL Chemistry subscription!
Safety precautions: Only under adult supervision.
