Bigger Science Experiment - Can you help me?

[Kathleen]

We're in unit 9 on day 3 today...

We just attempted the science experiment for "What causes lightning?" We vigrously rubbed the balloons on our shirts and touched them together - nothing. I thought that maybe Grant needed to be holding both balloons for it to work, so we tried that - still nothing. He tried rubbing them together after rubbing them on his shirt - nothing. He rubbed them on our hair (the little 2 were watching before nap time) - still nothing. (But we had some wild hair do's!! ) We rubbed them on the carpet - nothing. Did we do something wrong? Is there something wrong with our balloons or our house?

Grant knew what was suppossed to happen. He said, "There's supposed to be a shock. Like when I run around on the trampoline and then touch the side. Or when I go down the slide at the park and touch one of the bolts." So, we covered the point...but I'm sure I must be missing something obvious.

Kathleen

PS - I would have guessed that it was the weather 2 days ago when it was humid...but today is cold, dry, and WINDY!

[Carrie]

Kathleen,

My hubby and I aren't at home this week, so I can't check my guide on this one. Some of the more science-minded ladies may have an answer for you, but I am wondering whether the type of material the balloon was made with may have made a difference or not. Anyway, we always find science experiments that don't turn out exactly right to be a great discussion starter at our house, as to what we thought should have happened, and why it didn't happen that way. It's a good reminder that there are many variables within any experiment that can affect the outcome.

Blessings,
Carrie

[water2wine]

Kathleen I would say something is neutralizing your charge. So I would say figuring that out would be a great science experiment in itself. That is real science thinking that few ever develop yet if you go into science you spend most of your time figuring out what are your assumptions and what else might be influencing your system. I think since you were able to get the static on your hair that says the balloon is capable of producing it but perhaps the material it is made of is causing it to go more to you rather than back to the other balloon. I would try two things. Different balloons and try different rooms that have different flooring material like I will assume this time you were on carpet since it seems to be absorbed back to you. Try hard flooring next time if you were on carpet. Also notice the type of clothing you are wearing. You might try rubbing the balloons on wool first then to each other.

Ok so we just did this experiment to see what was going on for you in our garage and it worked. You have to really rub hard and have them stand back a few feet to see it. I could not see the sparks up close while I was frantically rubbing them together or on my sleeve but they could. You have to be very vigorous and have it really dark and my kids were about 5 feet to 4 feet from me to see it well. We used those big long balloons that you make weenie dogs. They were very thin. I would go for thin balloons rather than thicker ones.

Hope something here helps!

[Tansy]

I have to con cure with w2w we did this and I saw nothing but my dd was aying stuff like "mom is sparking!"
I also put a bunch of ballons in a plastic bag (white) and shook em like mad that was cool! and it does have to be really really dark.

[Kathleen]

Thanks for your ideas w2w and Tansy! We'll definitely try it again. My kids love to experiment! I was sure there must be something affecting it, but wasn't sure what.

w2w, I love the way your mind works. I tend to be one who goes "by the book" better than being able to "think outside the box"...but I think I'm making a little progress.

Kathleen