Can a Match be Used as a Conductor in a Triboelectricity Experiment?

[jaumzaum]

Consider the following experiment. 2 coins are put in the position shown above, with a match above them. A boy scrubs a balloon on his hair and takes the balloon near the match. The match follow the balloon.

The balloon will be electrified by friction, and it will induce opposite charges in the device. But what is the purpose of the match in this experiment? The match is not a conductor (at least I think there is no conductor in a match head), will charges be induced on the match or only in the coin?

 

[.Scott]

So the hair gets a strong positive charge and the balloon gets a string negative charge.
Bringing the balloon close to the match stick pushes electrons in the match stick to the rear and creates a positive end that will be attracted to the balloon.

The fact that this can occur even with a good electrical insulator between them indicates that essentially no electric current is required for this effect.

 

[Merlin3189]

I wonder what the significance of the coins is?

 

[jaumzaum]

I wonder what the significance of the coins is?

I would say it works as a gear that rotates the match with low friction.

 

[jaumzaum]

Bringing the balloon close to the match stick pushes electrons in the match stick to the rear

I didn't know this could occur on insulators at non-extreme electric fields. So we really see an electric current flowing inside the stick in the transitory interval?

 

[Merlin3189]

I don't think you need a gross movement of charge. Dielectrics have slight local shifts in charge - polarisation - in response to a field.

 

[Swamp Thing]

Dielectrics have slight local shifts in charge - polarisation - in response to a field.

And if the match isn't perfectly dry, that would make all the difference.
If you're actually doing the experiment, try replacing the match with a piece of plastic tube, e.g. cut from a Q-tip.