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Purpose To charge an object with static electricity.
Materials comb v' tissue paper scissors ~/ ruler,(
Procedure
Cut a strip of tissue paper about 3 in. x 10 in. (7.5 cm x 25 cm).
Cut long, thin strips in the paper, leaving one end uncut (see diagram).
Quickly move the comb through your hair several times.
Your hair must be clean, dry, and oil-free.
Hold the teeth of the comb near, but not touching, the
cut end of the paper strips.
Results The thin paper strips move toward the comb.
Why? Static means stationary. Static electricity is the buildup of negative or positive stationary charges. Matter is made up of atoms, which have electrons spinning around a positive center called the nucleus. Moving the comb through your hair actually rubs electrons off the hair and onto the comb. The side of the comb that touched your hair has a build-up of electrons, making that side negatively charged.
The paper strip is made of atoms. Holding the negatively charged comb close to the paper causes the positive part of the atoms in the paper to be attracted to the comb. This attraction between negative and positive charges is strong enough to lift individual strands of paper.
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