Wild weather is fascinating to most kids. Did your child ever wonder what would happen if he could create lightning at will?
On stormy days, the moving air in clouds makes ice and water droplets rub together. That rubbing charges them with static electricity. The result? The positive electrical charges float up near the top of the cloud and the larger ones, with negative charges, stay near the bottom. This separation of electrical charges is very unstable and lightning is the way the charges are equalized, or become balanced.
You can create a similar effect at home. While this experiment won't produce something that can strike down trees and cause chaos, it does create an electrical discharge that's like a mini lightning bolt. Set it up on a non humid day, then turn the lights out for a super cool demonstration.
What You Need:
- Disposable aluminum pie plate
- Glue
- Pen
- Thumbtack
- Wool sock
- Big piece of Styrofoam (like the blocks that TVs or other electronics are packed in)
Position the pen on top of the thumbtack, with the writing side facing up. If the pen won't stay attached simply by spiking it on the tack, glue it so it's secure.
Zap! Not only should a small bolt of lightning be visible, but the person who volunteered a finger should feel a small spark and everyone should hear it, too.
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