Hooked on Science: Static electricity ornament

Materials

• Polystyrene beads
• Clear plastic craft ornament

Instructions

STEP 1: Remove the cap and hook from the ornament. Fill the ornament one-fourth of the way with polystyrene beads. Place the cap and hook back onto the ornament.

STEP 2: Rapidly shake the ornament and observe.

Explanation

The polystyrene beads cling to the sides of the ornament due to static electricity, which is a buildup of an electric charge. Rapidly shaking the ornament builds up negative charges on the beads. These charges attract to the positive charges on the ornament, causing the beads to cling to the ornament.