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National STEM Learning Centre and Network
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These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.
Flying Tinsel
Simon Quinnell, from the National STEM Learning Centre and Network, demonstrates static electricity and charge using a balloon and a piece of plastic tinsel. Rubbing the balloon on a jumper builds up a negative charge on its surface.
When the positively charged tinsel is dropped onto the surface of the balloon it is first attracted to it, but is then repelled as it picks up the negative charge. The tinsel can then be guided around the room by moving the balloon.
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