It's Electric! Science Experiment
Discover static electricity with this "spicy" science experiment!
Submitted by
Sonam Adinolf
Sonam Adinolf
Let your kid discover the mysterious world of static electricity with this simple science experiment by "magically" separating salt and pepper using a plastic spoon or comb.
- Salt:1 teaspoonful
- Pepper:1 teaspoonful
- A plastic comb or spoon
- A pen
Have your kid sprinkle the salt and pepper onto the dining room table. (She'll love pouring stuff onto your furniture without getting in trouble.)
Get her to mix up the salt and pepper with the tip of the pen.
Next, have her rub the comb or spoon vigorously on her pants or another piece of fabric.
Then have her slowly lower the spoon or comb to about an inch over the salt and pepper (no closer, or it won't work!).
Stare in amazement as the pepper begins to leap off the table onto the spoon or comb!
- This is a great trick to do at restaurants (especially when your kid starts throw a fit before the entrees arrive).
- How does this science experiment work? When you rub the plastic spoon or comb on fabric, it gets a negative charge. The pepper has a positive charge. So when your kid holds the spoon over the salt and pepper, the pepper is attracted to the plastic and leaps up off the table. Opposites attract. Incidentally, the salt also has a positive charge, but it is heavier than the pepper, so the pepper will jump first. If your kid lowered the comb or spoon, the salt would come up, as well.
Submit!
