Science Smarts: The magic of static electricity

By Patty Rooks on November 29, 2025.

Well, I do not know about you, but I have been slowly decorating for the upcoming holiday season! It is my favourite time of the year as I get to see family and friends that I miss SO much. As I am pulling out some of the tinsel, I notice it is either flying everywhere or sticking together. Hmmm…what is going on here? We had better investigate this further. Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

– Several strands of tinsel

– Scissors

– Balloon

– A good head of hair

Procedure

1. Separate several strands of tinsel and put them in a bundle and tie together at both ends with a spare piece of tinsel.

2. Blow up the balloon.

3. RUB RUB RUB the balloon in your hair.

4. Hold the tinsel slightly above the balloon.

5. Observe.

6. Allow the tinsel to touch the balloon.

7. Observe.

What is going on?

By rubbing the balloon on your head, you are charging it up as electrons are transferred to the negatively charged balloon. At first, nothing happens as the tinsel has no charge. BUT when you touch the balloon to the tinsel, some of those electrons are transferred. Now you have both items negatively charged. Objects that contain the same charge will repel one another (as you can see). The repelling force will force the electrons up pushing up on the tinsel allowing it to defy gravity. Watch closely as this will only happen ever so quickly.

Breaking news:

Save the date for the southeastern Alberta Regional Science Fair. It will take place on Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026. Mark your calendars and start thinking of what you will do. I cannot wait to see all of the students from all over southeastern Alberta there. As well, do not forget that Praxis is here to support classrooms and schools with their in house science fairs!

Patty Rooks, senior scientific consultant Praxis Science Outreach Society. Praxis has moved! We are very fortunate to be located in the Community Futures Entre Corp Building at #202 556 Fourth St. SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 0K8. For all your science needs, please email praxis@praxismh.ca.

21
-20