Curriculum

Lesson – Static Electricity: Balloon Labs

man getting shocked

Overview

Title: Static Electricity: Balloon Labs

Grade: 5th Grade

Duration: 45 Minutes

 

Objective

Science – SC.5.P.10.3
Investigate and explain that an electrically charged object can attract an uncharged object and can either attract or repel another charged object without any contact between objects.

Science – SC.5.P.11.2
Identify and clarify materials that conduct electricity and materials that do not.

Language Arts – LAFS.5.SL.1.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Objective

In this lesson, students will be able to investigate static electricity.

Essential Questions

  • What is energy?
  • Why is it important to have different forms of energy?

Vocabulary

Static Electricity • Force • Electric Force • Repel • Attract • Electric Discharge • Magnet

Background Information

Electric charge occurs when a buildup of electricity transfers from one object to another. The electric force will either attract or repel depending on the charge.

Static Electricity Balloon Labs

In this lesson, students will be able to investigate static electricity.

Problem Statement

How does static electricity work?

Materials

Procedure

  1. Watch Video: The Science of Static Electricity
  2. Perform the (3) labs in this lesson.
  3. These labs can be done either whole group, as a demonstration, or you may breakup students into three teams and have students rotate and perform each lab
  4. You may have students use the Activity: Static Electricity Lab Form.
  5. First, complete Lesson: Exploring Electrical Forces Lab.
  6. Discuss findings.
  7. Next, complete Lesson: Balloons and Static Electricity Lab.
  8. Discuss findings.
  9. Finally, Complete Lesson - Separating Salt and Pepper with Static Electricity Lab. 
  10. Discuss findings.

Inquiry Type

Teacher Resources