Balloon Powered Lightbulb Science Experiment
In this fun and easy science experiment, we’re going to show you how to use a balloon to power a lightbulb.
Materials:
- Balloon
- CFL lightbulb
- A dark room
Instructions:
- Blow up the balloon and tie off the end.
- Move into the darkened space.
- Wait a few minutes for your eyes to adjust.
- Rub the balloon against your hair numerous times.
- Hold the balloon by the tied end with one hand so that the top of the balloon dangles toward the floor.
- With your other hand, hold the CFL lightbulb near the balloon but do not move the lightbulb or touch the balloon.
- Now move the balloon back and forth over the bulb, still not touching it, and observe what happens.
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How it Works:
Your hair imparted electrical charges called static electricity onto the balloon when rubbed against your hair. The CFL bulb also contains electrical charges and these are attracted to the electrical charges on the balloon. As you move the balloon, the electrical charges in the lightbulb move to try and connect with the electrical charges on the balloon. When these electrical charges move around in the bulb, they bump into chemicals in the lightbulb and create light.
Make This A Science Project:
Try this easy balloon experiment with a medical glove. Does adding salt to the balloon have any noticeable effect on the experiment? Try the hair of different friends. Try rubbing the balloon on wool. Try different types of bulbs. Try different sized balloons.
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