Resources What we'll learn about Where those shocks and sticky clothing come from on dry, winter days How to make your own shocks and static What static electricity's all about   What you'll need A clean sample (can be a shirt, etc.) of any or all of the following fabrics: nylon, wool, cotton, silk, fur, polyester paper balloons hard rubber or plastic comb (Wash it to remove oils and dry thoroughly) journals/pens stopwatch/timer/watch

Getting started

Shocking Stuff

• Rub the various fabrics over your skin or scuff your feet on the carpet, then try to shock yourself on a metal doorknob or a friend.
• Try using the balloon or the comb to do the same.
• Write in your journal which fabrics give the biggest or loudest shock, and what other things you can shock yourself on.

Sticky business

• Try to get the pieces of fabric to stick to you or each other (like static cling).
• Rub the fabrics against your skin or against each other - do they cling better now?
• Make a list of things a fabric will stick to, in order of which it sticks to best.
• See how long fabric and paper will stay stuck to a balloon, the wall, and your hair. How long will a balloon stay stuck to these things?
• Can you stick two balloons together, or to your hand or arm?
• Run your comb through dry hair several times. What will it stick to now? For how long?
• Try any other materials you can think of.
• Video or photograph your experiments.
  

What next

Creation and invention:

• Make a webpage that tells people about your results.
  
• Design posters that show which things cling together best.
  
• Use your photos to create art and show your friends.
  
• Write a story, play, or movie about static electricity.
  

Discussion:

• Does rubbing the fabric against something more or fewer times change the strength of shock, or the length of time things stick together?
  
• Why does rubbing allow things to stick together, or produce a shock when you touch some things?
  
• What can you do to prevent shocks or static cling?
  
• What's that crackling noise you hear?
  

Resources

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