1W-P1 75 minutes SNC1W Science
Why Do Objects Become Charged?
Use the Static Electricity sim to investigate electron transfer, attraction, repulsion, grounding, and how evidence can reveal invisible charge.
Lesson Focus

Anchor question: why can a balloon stick to a wall after you rub it on hair? Today you will use a model to track electrons, predict charge, and explain why charged objects attract, repel, or discharge.

Section 1 Make Charge Visible ~20 min

Reference

  • Objects become charged when electrons move from one object to another.
  • An object that gains electrons becomes negatively charged.
  • An object that loses electrons becomes positively charged.
  • Like charges repel. Opposite charges attract. Neutral objects can still be attracted by charge separation.
⚡
Open the Static Electricity Sim
Rub materials together, drag charged objects near each other, try the electroscope, and use grounding to remove excess charge.
Open Static Electricity Sim ↗
1
Rub a balloon with hair or wool. Watch which object gains electrons.
2
Bring the charged balloon near paper, a wall, or another charged object.
3
Try the electroscope mode. Observe how the leaves respond to charge.
4
Use grounding and record what changes.
Test What Did You Do? What Happened? What Charge Evidence Did You See?
Balloon + hair/wool
Charged object near paper
Two charged objects
Electroscope or grounding
Section 2 Explain the Electron Story ~25 min
?
Model check Static electricity is not created from nothing. Charge is separated because electrons move. Track where the electrons went.
Electron Transfer

After rubbing two objects together, how can you tell which object became negative?

Positive Charge

If an object becomes positive, did it gain protons or lose electrons? Explain.

Attraction

Why can a charged balloon attract small neutral pieces of paper?

Repulsion

What has to be true for two objects to repel each other?

Grounding
Use the sim to ground a charged object. What changed, and where did the extra charge go?
Write your answer using the words electrons, ground, neutral, and charge.
Section 3 Use the Model ~20 min
Situation Prediction Reasoning
A negatively charged balloon is brought near a neutral wall.
Two objects both gained electrons.
A charged object touches a conductor connected to the ground.
!
Final Task Karen says, "Rubbing a balloon creates electricity because the balloon makes new electrons." Correct her using evidence from the sim.
Karen Prompt
Write a short correction. Include electron transfer, charge, and one observation from the sim.
Exit Ticket
Answer the anchor question: why can a balloon stick to a wall after you rub it on hair?
Finished?
Save your completed work as a PDF when you are done. Your answers are saved automatically while you type.
If you need to come back later on the same device, your answers should still be here.