Static Electricity

Name: _______________________________

As you work through the video, press pause to enable you to think, join in, try some of the activities,
and write the answers on this worksheet. You will then be able to take it back into school to show
your teacher!

1. On the video, Miss B gave one of her favourite amazing science facts, what was it? Can you
tell someone else? What was their reaction?

2. Can you explain why an atom usually has no overall charge?

3. What is the name of the particles that are negatively charged and are part of atoms?

_______________________________________________

4. Give the name of the force that we use to transfer these particles from one surface to another

_______________________________________________

5. Complete the following two sentences:

a. Opposite charges ________________________

b. Like (the same) charges ___________________

North and West Yorkshire

Science Learning Partnership
 6. Miss B demonstrated this website – why don’t you see what you can find out
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/balloons-and-static-electricity/latest/balloons-and-static-
electricity_en.html

7. Try this quiz on BBC Bitesize, then write down your score:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zthyvcw/test

Score out of 10: _______________

Are you ready for a Challenge?

Why not try the Challenges below – we’d love to see your attempts on Twitter – tag us
@NwySlp and we will comment back!

Challenge 1 – How long will the balloon stick to the ceiling?

Rub a balloon on your head, or on a jumper, and then hold it against the wall, or up against the
ceiling.
Make a note of the time….
How long will it stay up there? Can you explain why it is attracted to the ceiling?

How did you get on? Upload your photo and explanation onto Twitter – tag us @NwySlp

Challenge 2 – Static Hair explanation

Miss B’s hair continued to stand up after rubbing it with a balloon, even when she had taken the
balloon away? Why?
Can you explain? (Hint, think about what the same charges do…)
Can you take a similar photo of your hair like this?

How did you get on? Upload your explanation and photo onto
Twitter – tag us @NwySlp

North and West Yorkshire

Science Learning Partnership