Area of Science: Physics Meant for Grade K-3 (age 5-7). This experiment is edible. An adult should be present. |
Overview:
Rice Krispies seem to jump and float from a table top to
an overlying plate of glass or plexiglass rubbed with a
wool sweater to generate a net negative charge.
Equipment:
- hand full of Rice Krispies
- plate of plexiglass, foot X foot or so.
- wooden blocks, ceramic cups, or something similar to balance the
plate 1-3 inches above the table (table should be non-metallic).
- wool sweater
Safety:
none that I can think of.. just have fun
How to do the experiment:
Explanation:
The effect is caused by the buildup of static charge.
Rubbing the wool sweater on the plexiglass generates a
net negative charge on the plexiglass surface. This net negative
charge has the effect of polarizing the rice krispies on
the table below, so positive charges accumulate on points
closest to the overlying negatively charged plate. Unlike charges
attract, and when the difference in charge has become great enough,
the electrostatic attractions are sufficient to draw the rice krispies
to the bottom of the plexiglass plate, against the force of gravity.
The charges dissipiate when the rice krispie contacts the plate.
Having no further means of attration, the now neutral krispie
falls back to the surface of the table allowing the process to start
over again.
Useful References:
Static Electricity Page
Further comments:
Corn flakes work well, cheerios had a negligible effect. You can also
increase the distance between the plate and the table surface to see
what happens.