Experiments with Static Electricity: Creating Sparks

You noticed that, in dry weather, walking on or scuffing your feet along a rug can cause sparks when you touch some things. This phenomenon gets your curious. It makes you wonder:

• What types of materials can you touch that will result in sparks?
• What are the best shoes to wear to cause sparks?
• What is the best way to stop the sparks?

When doing experiments with sparks, use CAUTION:

• Keep sparks away from flammable materials, because they can start a fire or explosion.
• DO NOT touch any part of your computer, as it can damage the sensitive electronics.
• Also, be careful not to touch any electrical appliance, although most are safely grounded.

Experiment on materials for creating sparks

1. Make sure the weather is dry enough to create sparks when you walk on the rug.
2. Work up some static electricity and touch various objects. (Be sure to use CAUTION, as explained above).
3. Make a chart of the objects, what they are made of, and the results of your experiment.
4. Draw some conclusions. What materials work the best? The worst?

Experiment on shoes for creating sparks

1. Try creating static electricity wearing different types of shoes.
2. Make a chart of the material of the shoe’s sole and how well you could create sparks.
3. Draw conclusions on the best shoes to wear.

Experiment on stopping sparks

1. Look at the results of what happens when you touch various materials. Which did not create sparks?
2. Rub your feet on the rug to create enough static electricity to create a spark.
3. Touch a material that does not spark.
4. Then touch a material that results in a spark. What happened?
5. Draw conclusions from this experiment.

   Jump to Where can you go from here?

---

Do you have a good experiment?

Do you have a good experiment that you’ve done and would like to tell others about it? Or do you have a great idea for an experiment that you’d like to try?

If so, send an email with your experiment or idea and I will add it to our pages, along with your name and other information you’d like.

Feel free to establish a link from your website to pages in this site.

---