Understanding Electrostatics
Electrostatics is the study of stationary electric charges. You can experiment with electrostatics using simple materials found at home.
Materials Needed

• A balloon
• A wool sweater or a piece of fabric
• A small piece of paper or confetti

Experiment Steps
1. Inflate the Balloon
Inflate the balloon and tie it off.
2. Charge the Balloon
Rub the balloon vigorously against the wool sweater or fabric for about 30 seconds. This action transfers electrons, giving the balloon a negative charge.
3. Test the Charge
Slowly bring the charged balloon near the small piece of paper or confetti. Observe how the paper moves towards the balloon. This occurs because the balloon's negative charge attracts the neutral charges in the paper.
4. Explore Different Materials
Try charging the balloon with different fabrics (like cotton or silk) to see how it affects the strength and behavior of the charge.
Observations
- Note how far the paper moves when you bring the balloon close.
- Experiment with other lightweight materials, such as rice or small plastic bits, to see if they exhibit similar behavior.
Conclusion
This simple experiment illustrates fundamental principles of electrostatics, including charge transfer and attraction between charged and uncharged objects. Keep experimenting for deeper understanding!