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You don't need to describe the concept of static to your little one—you can show them! In this week's Saturday Science courtesy of Kids Activities Blog, create a static snake and try to defy gravity.
Activities which demonstrate static electricity are always a huge hit with kids for the seemingly magic, gravity defying effects that are produced. Your family can have a blast “charming” this tissue paper snake up, up, up and off the table!
Materials:
- Tissue paper
- Plastic ruler
- Scissors
- Something made of wool such as a pullover or carpet (to produce the electricity)
- Snake template (download here)
- A tin plate or tin lid
Process:
- Download the snake template above. Print out the template.
- Place the tissue paper over the template and draw the design onto the tissue paper.
- Cut out the snake following the lines you have traced onto the tissue paper. If you like, draw on a face and some wiggly lines with a felt tip pen.
- Rub the plastic ruler vigorously over the wool carpet or pullover, then hover the ruler over the snake’s head.
- The snake will begin to rise off the table!
Tip: It can take quite a lot of rubbing of our plastic ruler to generate enough electrical charge to lift the snake off the table. Placing the tissue paper snake on a tin plate or lid could increase the attraction of the tissue paper. Why not test both ways and discover for yourself if there's a difference?
What's going on?
When the plastic ruler is rubbed against the wool, an electrical charge is created. The tissue paper is attracted to the charge and because the tissue paper is so light, the charge is enough to lift the snake off the table.
Extend the learning:
- Try using a different type of paper. Will the thicker paper still lift up?
- Decorate the snake with sequins or glitter. Will the extra weight affect how the experiment works?
- Draw your own snake template. Does making the snake wider affect the results? What happens if you make the snake longer or shorter?
Want more Saturday Science? See all of our at-home activities on the blog or on Pinterest.
