Balloons \& Static Electricity Use this simulation to answer the questions below. Be sure to write your answers in a font color other than black. Lab Questions: 1. Play with the simulation and observe what happens when the balloon is rubbed on the sweater. Explain why this happens. 2. The process you completed in \#1 is a called charging an object by friction. Bring your charged balloon near the wall and describe what happens to the wall. Explain why this happens. 3. The effect you observed in the wall in \#2 is called polarization or induction. Now, take your charged balloon and place it somewhere between the wall and the sweater. Observe what happens, and describe it here. Explain why this happens!

When you rub a balloon against a sweater, electrons from the fabric transfer to the balloon, causing the balloon to become negatively charged. This phenomenon occurs because different materials have varying affinities for electrons, leading to a build-up of charge through friction. The result? Your balloon attracts small bits of paper or even the wall itself, thanks to its new electrifying powers! When you bring your charged balloon close to the wall, an interesting effect takes place: the wall has neutral charges overall, but the negatively charged electrons in the wall get pushed away from the balloon, causing the side of the wall closest to the balloon to become positively charged through polarization. This imbalance of charges creates an attractive force between the balloon and the wall. So, while the balloon is tryin' to make friends, the wall is just playing hard to get!