- Rice Krispies
- Plexiglas
- Wooden Blocks
- Wool Sweater
Procedure
- Put the Rice Krispies on a flat surface
- Put wood blocks on the table or flat surface and balance the Plexiglas over the pile of Rice Krispies
- Rub the top of the Plexiglas with a wool sweater
- The Rice Krispies should slowly start to stand on end and then jump from the table surface to the Plexiglas and back again
Explanation
Rubbing the wool sweater on the Plexiglas generates a negative charge on the Plexiglas. A positive charge is induced on points of the Rice Krispies closest to the negatively charged Plexiglas. Unlike charges attract, when the difference in charge has become great enough, the electrostatic attraction is sufficient to draw the Rice Krispies to the Plexiglas. The charge dissipates after contacting the Plexiglas and the Rice Krispie falls back to the table.
