Science Projects on Static Electricity and Carpet
Static electricity forms when a charge builds up on an insulated material. This most often happens when you rub an object on carpet. Negatively charged particles build up on the insulation and need somewhere to jump. When they jump, they create a short, electric spark known as static electricity. You can experiment with this principle using carpeting and other objects.
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Pushing Water
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This experiment demonstrates how atoms with the same charge repel one another. Place a small plastic pocket comb against your palm. Rub it vigorously against woolen carpeting for at least 30 seconds. Turn on the water in your kitchen faucet to create a very thin, unbroken stream. Place the comb near (but not into) the water stream. The water should bend because the negative charge built up on the comb is the same as the charge in the water's atoms.
Move, Don't Touch
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Static electricity can allow you to move objects without touching them, according to Science Fair Projects Hub. Atoms of opposite charges attract each other so they can share bonds and become "finished." Atoms contain gaps that they constantly try to fill by sharing with other atoms. Place a penny on a flat surface and lay a toothpick across it. Place a plastic cup upside-down over both objects. Fill a balloon with air and rub it in vigorous, circular motions over carpeting for about 10 seconds. Pass the balloon over the cup; the toothpick should roll off of the penny and may even stand up. Rub the balloon against the carpeting for 60 seconds. When passed over the cup again, the heavier penny should also stand.
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Follow the Leader
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Static cling occurs because oppositely charged atoms are trying to complete themselves by sharing bonds with other atoms. Inflate a balloon and rub it against woolen carpeting for 45 to 60 seconds. This creates a strong negative charge on the balloon. Lay an empty soda can on its side on a flat surface. The soda can has more positive atoms than the balloon at present. Place the balloon close enough to the can that the can begins to roll toward the balloon. Pull the balloon along the flat surface and watch the can roll after it. Make the balloon chase the can by rubbing both objects on woolen carpet. Since they both have negative charges, the can will now roll away from the balloon.
Idea Bulb
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Static electricity is true electricity, though it often only has enough charge to spark once. Even this small charge, though, can be enough to light a light bulb.
Dim a room carpeted with woolen carpeting. Rub a plastic comb vigorously against the carpet for about a minute; you need a big charge to perform this experiment.
Hold a lightbulb by the glass part and touch the charged comb to the metal part of the bulb. The filaments inside the bulb should light. The darker the room is, the easier this will be to see.
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References
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