Misc. Expand balloon with static electricity

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the concept of expanding an inflated balloon using static electricity by wrapping it in layers of material similar to those used in electrostatic adhesion wall climbing robots. The theory suggests that building up an electrostatic charge on the outer layers would polarize the air inside the balloon, causing it to expand. However, several challenges are highlighted. One major concern is that electrostatic forces diminish quickly with distance, suggesting that a setup with two parallel planes of material might be more effective. Additionally, it is pointed out that within a conducting enclosure, the charge remains uniform, preventing any potential difference that could facilitate expansion. The forces generated by static electricity at practical voltage levels are considered too minuscule to significantly affect the balloon's volume. Overall, while the idea is intriguing, the feasibility of achieving the desired effect through static electricity is questioned.
smiddleton26
Messages
1
Reaction score
1
TL;DR Summary
Hey guys, I’m trying a weird project. I could use some help confirming the theory before I start.

I want to see if I can expand an inflated balloon using static electricity.
The idea is to wrap a balloon in several layers of material, similar to that used in electrostatic adhesion wall climbing robots, and run power through the layers. The electrostatic charge on the layers outside the balloon will build up and the air inside the balloon will begin to become polarized and begin to cause the balloon to expand.

Any thoughts about this theory would be great! Thanks for the feedback!
Steve
 
  • Skeptical
  • Wow
Likes Bystander and PeroK
Physics news on Phys.org
:welcome:
 
Welcome to PF. :smile:

smiddleton26 said:
I want to see if I can expand an inflated balloon using static electricity.

similar to that used in electrostatic adhesion wall climbing robots
Can you post a link to that? I'm not familar with it. Thanks.

One problem with using electrostatic forces to expand a baloon is that the electrostatic force falls off quickly with distance. So to get the best effect, it would be better to use two parallel planes of material separated by a small distance. Can you alter your setup somehow to make that optimization?

1655657387089.png

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/elefor.html
 
smiddleton26 said:
Summary: Hey guys, I’m trying a weird project. I could use some help confirming the theory before I start.

I want to see if I can expand an inflated balloon using static electricity.

The idea is to wrap a balloon in several layers of material, similar to that used in electrostatic adhesion wall climbing robots, and run power through the layers. The electrostatic charge on the layers outside the balloon will build up and the air inside the balloon will begin to become polarized and begin to cause the balloon to expand.

Any thoughts about this theory would be great! Thanks for the feedback!
Steve
Sorry, won't work. The charge inside a conducting enclosure is uniform, being uniform there can be no potential difference inside the enclosure.

reference: Gauss's Law; Faraday Shield (Gauss's Law being the main one)

https://www.google.com/search?&q=field+strength+inside+charged+sphere
(at least some of the Utube videos are garbage, stick to the mathematical ones if you are up to it)

Cheers,
Tom
 
smiddleton26 said:
I want to see if I can expand an inflated balloon using static electricity.
...
The electrostatic charge on the layers outside the balloon will build up and the air inside the balloon will begin to become polarized and begin to cause the balloon to expand.
Those crossed over parts turns that sentence to technobabble.
The charge itself has some effect on the balloon, but the forces involved (=> volume change of the balloon) are just minuscule at any practical voltage level.
 
Last edited:
Three rabbits will be wintering in a 2m x 2m x 2m wooden hut. Outside temperature does not go below -30c (-22f) Planning to put a 50cm by 50cm 1mm thick stainless steel sheet on the floor of the hut (inside off course) My plan is to heat the sheet with a 50w PTC heater element https://fi.rsdelivers.com/product/dbk-enclosures/fg135600/dbk-enclosures-heating-element-75mm-50-w-100-240-v/dc/2995922?backToResults=1 Is this heater (50W) enough to keep the pad warm enough to sustain liquid...
Hey all. I'm looking to buy a zero-turn mower and I need to build/purchase a ramp to get it into my shed for storage. Exact model is this one. I need to figure out how long of a ramp I need to make sure the mower doesn't bottom out when driving up and down the ramp. Mower stats: Wheelbase: approximately 76 inches. Height: 4.5 inches (based off the highest setting on the deck height adjustment) Shed entrance is 12 inches off the ground. The manufacturer says that the mower can handle...
Thread 'How to remove a seized toilet tank bolt?'
greetings I replaced my bedroom toilet due to water leak and unable to replace water tank bolt with new ones. so now i have old toilet in the yard and i took a closer look at the seized bolt, it seems that the bottom part (a butterfly fastener) holds onto the bolt really tight, when i turned the head inside the tank with flathead screwdriver, the fastener moves with the bolt as the whole. is there a way to remove the bolt?
Back
Top