Explore the Balloons & Static Electricity
Rub a balloon on a sweater and watch it stick to the wall, showing charge transfer and induced charge. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Balloons & Static Electricity with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Balloons & Static Electricity?
Rub a balloon on a sweater and watch it stick to the wall, showing charge transfer and induced charge. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
The same effects cause dust to cling to screens and are used in photocopiers and air cleaners.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Rubbing moves electrons from the sweater to the balloon.
The balloon becomes negative and the sweater positive.
A charged balloon polarises the wall, so it sticks.
Rub it more and let it go near the wall.
Add a second balloon and watch them repel.
Show only the differences in charge.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Physics learners
Physics students in middle school, high school and first-year university, teachers who want a quick demonstration for the projector, and anyone revising for exams.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Balloons & Static Electricity on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Add a second balloon and watch them repel. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
Why does a charged balloon stick to a wall?
Its negative charge pushes electrons away in the wall, leaving the near surface slightly positive, so they attract.
Does the balloon lose its charge?
Slowly, because charge leaks into the air and wall.
Is the Balloons & Static Electricity free to use?
Yes. The Balloons & Static Electricity is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Physics group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Balloons & Static Electricity work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Balloons & Static Electricity takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 3 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Balloons & Static Electricity?
1. In the Balloons & Static Electricity, use the controls to change Wall, Charges, Balloons. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Balloons & Static Electricity, pick an option such as Show wall, Hide wall, All charges, Only differences to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Balloons & Static Electricity, press "Reset balloons" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Rub it more and let it go near the wall. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Balloons & Static Electricity responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Rubbing moves electrons from the sweater to the balloon.
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Try the Balloons & Static Electricity now
Rub a balloon on a sweater and watch it stick to the wall, showing charge transfer and. Free to use.
Try it free