Hooked on Science: Make Christmas tree icicles float

Using a balloon and a few other materials from around the house, you can make Christmas tree icicles float in the air.

Materials

* Balloon

* Christmas tree icicles

* Wool cloth

Instructions

STEP 1: Cut three pieces of Christmas tree icicles about 6 inches in length.

STEP 2: Tie a knot at each end of the Christmas tree icicles. Use scissors to remove any excess icicles beyond the knots.

STEP 3: Blow up the balloon. Charge the balloon by rubbing it vigorously with the wool cloth.

STEP 4: Hold the Christmas tree icicles near the charged balloon. Once the icicles are attracted to the balloon, let go. Quickly pull the balloon away so the icicles do not attach to the balloon. With a lot of practice, the icicles will hover in the air above the balloon.

Explanation

You gave the balloon a negative charge by rubbing the wool cloth on the balloon. The faster you rub the balloon with the wool cloth, the more the balloon is negatively charged. The Christmas tree icicles have a positive charge until they touch the balloon. Like charges repel while unlike charges attract. Now that the Christmas tree icicles have a negative charge and the balloon has a negative charge they repel, causing the icicles to hover in the air above the balloon.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website www.hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments.