Virtual Laboratory #2

Static Electricity – Balloons and John Travoltage

INSTRUCTION:
Click the link provided below and click on the “Play” symbol to open the simulation and follow the
instructions provided in each question. Write your answers on the space provided.

Part I – Balloons and Static Electricity (One Balloon)

Link: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/balloons-and-static-electricity/latest/balloons-and-static-
electricity_en.html

1. Count the number of positive and negative charges on each object and determine their overall
charge. Use the data table below to organize your answers.
p+ e- Overall Charge
Sweater
Balloon
Wall

2. Click on the balloon and drag it over and rub the balloon against the wall. Observe and
describe what happens to the balloon and/or wall. Pull the balloon slightly away from the wall
and release it. Write your observation.
Answer:

3. Drag the balloon over the sweater and rub it against the sweater. Describe your observations
on the balloon and/or the sweater.
Answer:

4. Count the number of positive and negative charges on each object and determine their overall
charge after performing the above procedures. Use the data table below to organize your
answers.
p+ e- Overall Charge
Sweater
Balloon
Wall

5. Pull the balloon back toward the middle of the simulation and release it. Write your
observation(s). Explain this occurrence.
Answer:

6. Drag the balloon over to the wall. As you bring the balloon near the wall, describe what
happens within the wall. Why do you think this happens?
Answer:

7. Hold the balloon just away from the wall and release it. Write your observation(s). Explain this
occurrence.
Answer:

8. Hold the balloon a little further from the wall and release it. Keep repeating this moving the
balloon a little further from the wall each time until the balloon stops being attracted to the wall.
What eventually happened? Is the balloon more attracted to the sweater or the wall? Why do
you think so?
Answer:
ANALYSIS:
1. When an object becomes charged, which charge is transferred between the objects?
Answer:

2. How does an object become positively charged?

Answer:

3. How does an object become negatively charged?

Answer:

4. To repel each other, two objects must have ____ charge(s).

Answer:

5. To attract each other, two objects must have ____ charge(s).

Answer:

6. When the balloon was brought near the wall, the wall technically stayed neutral, but the
balloon was still attracted to the wall. Explain this occurrence.
Answer:

Part II – John Travoltage

Link: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/john-travoltage/latest/john-travoltage_en.html

1. Click on John Travoltage’s arm and move his finger by the doorknob. Write your observation.
Answer:

2. Move his finger away from the doorknob and rub John Travoltage’s foot across the carpet.
Describe what you observed.
Answer:

3. Move his finger toward the doorknob again. Describe what happens this time. Explain this
occurrence.
Answer:

4. Move his finger away from again and drag his foot across the carpet multiple times. Then bring
his hand toward the doorknob again. Describe your observation. What do you notice about the
distance between his finger and the doorknob this time compared to the first time?
Answer:

ANALYSIS:
1. Before John Travoltage approaches the doorknob, is the doorknob charged or neutral? Cite an
evidence or a possible explanation to support your claim.
Answer:

2. Why does the carpet tend to produce differences in static electricity more than hardwood or file
floors?
Answer:

3. Explain why do you sometimes feel a shock when you touch metallic objects, like a doorknob?
Answer:

4. Why doesn’t John Travoltage get a shock if he touchers the doorknob without rubbing his foot
on the carpet?
Answer: