Static electricity and sparks

ScienceEnergyAges 11–12

Explain static electricity as the build-up of electric charge through friction, describe how charged objects attract or repel each other, and relate static discharge to everyday phenomena such as lightning

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“Can your child explain why a balloon rubbed on hair sticks to the wall, and connect this to the science of how lightning forms during a thunderstorm?”

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Activity. Explain static electricity as the build-up of electric charge through friction, describe how charged objects attract or repel each other, and relate static discharge to everyday phenomena such as lightning

What to notice. Explains that rubbing transfers electrons from one material to another, creating opposite charges • States that like charges repel and unlike charges attract • Links the concept of static discharge to the formation of lightning as a large-scale electric spark

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Can your child explain why a balloon rubbed on hair sticks to the wall, and connect this to the science of how lightning forms during a thunderstorm?

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Explains that rubbing transfers electrons from one material to another, creating opposite charges
States that like charges repel and unlike charges attract
Links the concept of static discharge to the formation of lightning as a large-scale electric spark