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Equipment:
Plastic grocery bag (must be very thin)
Balloon
Scissors
Instructions:
Cut a strip from the open end of a plastic grocery bag. Then, inflate and tie a balloon. Rub the balloon and the strip of plastic on your hair. Hold the plastic strip over the balloon and set it free.
It begins to levitate!
Tip: This works best on a dry day and can be difficult on a humid day or in humid climates.
Scientific description:
Both the rubber balloon and the plastic strip are more attractive to electrons than your hair, so each time they touch your hair, they gain a few electrons. After thousands of touches, the balloon and the plastic gain a negative charge, while your hair gains a positive charge. You should find that they attract each other; your hair should stand up when you bring the balloon close to it.
The negative charges on the balloon and the plastic strip interact with and repel each other. As a result, you should be able to balance the plastic bag over the balloon, causing it to levitate.