Boom! Crash! How to Make Lightning!
Question:
Can you simulate lighting by creating static electricity using common household items?
Hypothesis:
We think that if you rub a balloon or Styrofoam plate on your hair and then place the tin foil part of a spatula on the balloon or plate and then touch the tin foil with a gloved hand, a spark or "lightning" will occur because we will have created static electricity.
Procedure:
Special Needs: A darker area to perform this experiment would be great if possible. |
Watch us in action:
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The Science behind it
You should have seen and felt a spark when you touched the foil. When you lifted the foil off and touched it again, you should have felt another spark. Your hand doesn't spark, and most non-metallic objects won't spark when you touch the charged object either. All metals insulated by your glove that touch both your charged object and your hand will spark.
Conclusions:
When rubbing a balloon or plate on your hair or wool you are moving electrons. When you move electrons, you give an object a net charge. Metals are special materials called conductors. Your balloon and plate are called insulators because they do not allow electrons to move where they want. When the tin foil spatula (conductor) comes near the balloon or plate (insulators) the electrons want to either get close to or far away from the object and create a spark (lightning).
Owen HendersonOwen lives in Somers, NY with his parents, 2 older brothers and his dog, Zoe. He loves attending SIS finishing up his last year there in 5th grade with his incredible teacher, Mrs King. Owen's interest include soccer and basketball and spending time with his friends.
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Michael MicceriA fifth grader at Somers Intermediate School. Crazy about his teacher, Mrs. Luke. She is awesome and fun. Favorite subject is Math. Michael loves sports, especially Soccer, Baseball and Lacrosse. Favorite team is the NY Yankees. Favorite Athlete is Derek Jeter. Michael is also a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, likes to ski, watch movies and hang out with his family.
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Brendan MuldoonBrendan is in 5th grade at Somers Intermediate School and lives with his mom, dad, brother and dog, Ozzy. He loves playing soccer, lacrosse and basketball. He also enjoys snowboarding and wakeboarding. Brendan's favorite book is Wonder and he enjoys math with Mrs. King. Brendan is excited to participate in Hands on Science Night with his friends, Owen and Michael.
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