Elenco Circuit Maker Sound Plus 200 - Manual (Page 63)

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Static electricity was
discovered more than 2,500
years ago when the Greek
philosopher Thales noticed
that when amber (a hard,
clear, yellow-tinted material)
is rubbed, light materials like
feathers stick to it. Electricity
is named after the Greek
word for amber, which is
electron.
Project #160 Bending Water
Electricity vs. Gravity:
Electricity is immensely more powerful than gravity (gravity is what causes
things to fall to the ground when you drop them). However electrical
attraction is so completely balanced out that you don’t notice it, while
gravity’s effects are always apparent because they are not balanced out.
Gravity is actually the attraction between objects due to their weight (or
technically, their mass). This effect is
extremely small and can be ignored
unless one of the objects is as big as a
planet (like the earth). Gravity attraction
never goes away and is seen every time
you drop something. Electrical charge,
though usually balanced out perfectly,
can move around and change quickly.
For example, you have seen how clothes
can cling together in the dryer due to
static electricity. There is also a gravity
attraction between the sweaters, but it is
always extremely small.
Note: This project works best on a
cold dry day. If the weather is humid,
the water vapor in the air allows the
static electric charge to dissipate,
and this project may not work.
If you have two balloons, rub them to a
sweater and then hang the rubbed sides
next to each other. They repel away. You
could also use the balloons to pick up
tiny pieces of paper.
Electricity Gravity
Take a piece of newspaper or other thin
paper and rub it vigorously with a
sweater or pencil. It will stick to a wall.
Cut the paper into two long strips, rub
them, then hang them next to each other.
See if they attract or repel each other.
Project #161 Static Tricks
You need a comb (or plastic ruler) and a
water faucet for this project. Run the comb
through your hair several times then hold it
next to a slow, thin stream of water from a
faucet. The water will bend towards it. You
can also use a plastic ruler. Rub it on your
clothes (wool works best).
Rubbing the comb through your hair builds up
a static electrical charge on it, which attracts
the water.
Note: This project works best on a cold dry
day. If the weather is humid, the water vapor
in the air allows the static electric charge to
dissipate, and this project may not work.
CM-200_Manual_031914.qxp_CM-200_Manual_031914 4/2/14 12:05 PM Page 63