Science Secrets · Drawing 08 of 40
A Hair-Raising Discovery!
Static electricity
Rubbing a balloon on hair can transfer tiny particles called electrons. The charged balloon can then attract the hair. What a funny hairstyle!
Did you know?
Hairs carrying the same electric charge repel one another.
Look together
Which hairs seem to be attracted toward the balloon?
An idea to try
An adult prepares an inflated balloon. Rub it on fabric, then bring it close to small pieces of paper. Make a prediction before observing.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
Contact between materials can transfer electrons. A balloon and hair can then carry opposite charges, which attract. Hairs carrying the same charge repel and can stand up. The illustration simplifies and exaggerates the hairstyle to make the effect visible; real results depend on hair, materials and humidity. A charged balloon can also attract neutral paper through polarization. An adult prepares the balloon and supervises its use.
Sources and illustration notes (1)
Simplified scene and shapes. Models, imagined comparisons and enlargements do not preserve all real measurements.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Science World: Static ElectricityTransfer of electrons between hair and a balloon; attraction and repulsion; attraction of neutral objects through induced charge.
Source review: 2026-10-12. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
