Charged by Induction: Making String Dance
Grade Levels: 3 - 5
Objectives
- Students will observe, infer, predict, formulate hypotheses, experiment, and identify and control variables.
Materials
- Balloon
- String 30-45 cm (1.0-1.5 ft.) long
- Wool cloth
Procedures
- Inflate the balloon and tie the end.
- Charge the balloon by rubbing it with the cloth.
- Lay the string on the table.
- Bring the balloon near one end of the string, but don't let it touch.
- Ask students to describe what happened.
- Can they explain why?
The end of the string in this activity is charged by induction and attracted to the balloon.
Excerpted from Hands-On Science Activities for Grades 3-4.
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