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Static Electricity Observation Sheet

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Static Electricity Observation Sheet

Aisha, Keira and Ari are testing static electricity before a cycling race. Investigate how rubbing a plastic ruler affects tiny paper pieces. Work on a dry, flat surface. You will need a clean plastic ruler, a small piece of wool or a dry cloth, and tiny paper pieces. Rub the ruler, then hold it close to—but not touching—the paper. Keep it away from faces and do not use electrical outlets or live wires. Repeat trials fairly, changing one factor at a time.

Before you test

Use the ideas below to plan a fair investigation. Static electricity is an imbalance of electric charge that can build up on an object. Rubbing can transfer electrons between materials. A charged object can attract neutral, lightweight objects such as paper, even without touching them.

1.Which investigation question would best help the cycling team test the effect of rubbing time?

Does rubbing the ruler for longer attract more paper pieces?
Which cyclist can rub a ruler fastest?
Does the paper have the same colour as the cloth?

2.To test rubbing time fairly, name one factor to change and two factors to keep the same.

3.Predict what might happen to the paper pieces after the ruler is rubbed with wool. Explain your prediction using the idea of charge.

Record the evidence

Run three trials. For each trial, rub the ruler for the stated time, hold it the same distance from the paper, and record the number of pieces that move. If you do not have the materials, use the sample results in the table to answer the questions.

Trial and rubbing time

Paper pieces moved

Observation

1 — 5 seconds

A few pieces shifted

2 — 10 seconds

Several pieces jumped towards the ruler

3 — 15 seconds

The strongest movement; one piece briefly stuck

4.Use the sample results: how did the number of paper pieces moved change as rubbing time increased from 5 to 15 seconds?

5.Which sample trial showed the strongest effect? Give one piece of evidence from the table.

6.True or false: the ruler must touch the paper for static electricity to attract it. Correct the statement if it is false.

TrueFalse

7.Complete the sentence: rubbing can transfer between materials, leaving an object with an imbalance of electric charge.

8.The sample results suggest longer rubbing caused more paper to move. Why should the team repeat each trial before deciding this is a reliable pattern?

9.Aisha says, “The paper moved, so the ruler must have made electricity.” Improve her explanation by describing what happens to charge and the evidence.

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Static Electricity Observation Sheet

Static Electricity Observation Sheet

Before you test

Record the evidence

2 printable pages

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

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