Activity Description

This activity makes use of the Balloons and and Static Electricity Simulation on the PhET wbsite. In the simulation first a ballon is rubbed against a sweater and then released showing an attractive force. Next the balloon is brought near a wall and released. Before each release, students predict and explain the behavior of the balloon.

Target Conceptual Difficulty

That a charged object can attract an uncharged object through an induced dipole.

PowerPoint

Balloon and Sweater Activity (TurningPoint)
Balloon and Sweater Activity (iClicker)

Simulation

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/balloons

I set up the simulation with a wall and showing no charges. Charges can be revealed later when giving students feedback about the activity.

Presentation Notes

I first describe that I will rub the balloon on the sweater and then have the students use clickers to predict the outcome. After the predictions are in, then I carry out the demonstration and the students see that the balloon is attracted to the stationary sweater. I then bring the balloon next to the wall. It needs to be quite close or else the attraction to the sweater will dominate. Students then make their prediction with clickers and the demonstration is carried out resulting in the balloonn being attracted to the wall. Charges can be shown when debriefing the activity.

Student Results

Student Prediction for interaction between sweater and balloon. Predictions were about evenly split between charge transfer and charge induction.

Student prediction for interaction between sweater and wall. 78% of students correctly identified that an attractive force would result due to a an induced dipole.

Pen and Paper Actvivities

Pen and Paper version of this activty

Follow up tipers from homework assignments, test reviews and test items