Classic Static Electricity Balloon Example

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of static electricity, specifically how a balloon sticks to a wall after being rubbed on a shirt. The balloon, made of rubber, becomes negatively charged by gaining electrons, which polarizes the wall's molecules, allowing the balloon to adhere despite the wall being a non-metallic insulator. The electrical force acting on the balloon is twice the magnitude of the gravitational force, facilitating its attraction to the wall. This interaction illustrates the principles of electrostatics and molecular polarization.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of static electricity and charge transfer
  • Basic knowledge of insulators and conductors
  • Familiarity with force diagrams and vector representation
  • Concept of molecular polarization in non-metallic materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of electrostatics and charge interactions
  • Learn about molecular polarization and its effects on materials
  • Study force diagrams and how to represent forces to scale
  • Explore the properties of insulators versus conductors in static electricity contexts
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching electrostatics, and anyone interested in the practical applications of static electricity in everyday phenomena.

grgrlee
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Homework Statement


1. Explain why a balloon sticks to a wall after being rubbed on your shirt (remember the wall is not metal and does not have "free" electrons")
2. Include a balanced force diagram that includes the electrical force and gravitational force (assume electrical force is twice the magnitude of gravitational force). Draw all three forces to scale

Homework Equations


Some things I don't understand. If a balloon attracts electrons from rubbing it on hair or a sweatshirt. Then it must have a higher electronegativity. But if we assume the balloon is rubber, a good insulator, doesn't this mean that the rubber objects should not accept electrons readily? Also, I'm having trouble understanding how the balloon can stick to the wall. Initially I thought that the balloon was attracting positive charges to align near the electrically charged balloon. But the question specifically reminds me that since the wall is not metal, the electrons are not free to move away from the protons.

The Attempt at a Solution


The attempt is in the questions i have
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Being an insulator means that the material do not have free electrons available for conduction,
but it can still remove electrons from other materials due to its high electron negativity.
The charged balloon polarizes the molecules in the wall's material and thereby sticks
to the wall.
 

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