PERFORMANCE TASK NO.

2: ELECTROSTATICS AND CHARGES Activity 4: Water Bending

GROUP NO.: SECTION:
GROUP MEMBERS: Materials
balloon
sink or water faucet
Activity 1: Stuck-Up Balloon/Dancing Balloon
Instructions
Materials
balloon
1. Turn on the faucet so that the water runs out in a small,
piece of fur or wool
steady stream, about 1/8 inch thick.
a blank space on a nearby wall
2. Charge the comb by running it through long, dry hair
several times or rub it vigorously on a sweater.
Instructions 3. Slowly bring the comb near the water and watch the water
"bend."
1. Blow up a balloon and tie the end so that the balloon stays 4. This project can also be done by substituting a balloon for
inflated. Without doing anything else, hold the balloon the comb.
against the wall and see if it will stick. Observe what
happens. Conclusion/Observation:
2. Next, briskly rub the balloon across a piece of wool; you
can use a sweater, sock, scarf, or rug.
1. What conclusions can you make about the activity? What
3. Hold the balloon against the wall and see if it will stick.
factors caused the effectivity of the experiment? Think
Does the balloon stay?
about what might be happening to the atoms of the
materials.
Activity 2: Dancing Balloon 2. Explain the results of the activities using the concept of
electrostatics (e.g. coulomb’s law and electric field
Materials intensity).
2 balloons
2 pieces of thread or lightweight string about 2 feet long (exact
length is not critical)
wool as in previous activity

Instructions

1. Blow up 2 balloons and tie each one closed so that the

balloons stay inflated.
2. Tie a long thread or string onto the end of each balloon.
3. Give each balloon a static charge by rubbing it with fur,
wool, or your hair as in the Stuck-Up Balloon Activity.
4. Hold each balloon by the end of the thread and try to bring
the balloons close to each other. Observe what happens.

Activity 3: Roll a Can with Static Electricity

Materials
An empty soda can
blown-up balloon
A head of hair

Instructions
1. Place the can on its side on a flat smooth surface like a table or a
smooth floor.
2. Rub the blown up balloon back and forth through your hair really
fast.
3. Now the fun part – Hold the balloon close to the can without
actually touching the can. The can will start to roll towards the
balloon without you even touching it!