Aim:
To charge up a light bulb using static electricity alone.
Materials required:
- A light bulb.
- A plastic comb.
Procedure:
- Go to a dark room.
- Take the comb and run it through your hair thoroughly several times.
- Hold the comb to the metal contacts at the base of the light bulb.
- Observe the filament of the bulb. You will see small pulses of light.
Scientific explanation:
As you rub the comb through your hair, the friction between your hair and the comb cause electrons to jump from your hair to the comb, giving it a negative charge. When you touch the comb to the bulb, the electrons from the comb flow through the filament of the bulb and light it up briefly.