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Science

Invisible Forces: How can I use plastic to attract and lift up very small objects?

Scientists investigate.

• Find one or more objects made from plastic, such as a pen, comb, ruler, straw, balloon, plastic wrapper, etc..

• Find a material to rub over the plastic object, such as paper, wool, cotton, paper towel, etc. What other other materials could you try?

• Find some small pieces of paper, pepper, sand, or hair. After rubbing the plastic object, hold the object over the small pieces. What do you notice? What questions do you have? (If the plastic object is charged, you will be able to pick up small pieces of paper, salt or pepper, sand, or strands of your hair.)

• Do other materials work? What happens when you rub the object more, or less?

• Talk about: What do you notice? What other questions do you have?

Read more about static electricity in this Newsela article: Everyday Mysteries: What is static electricity?

Try controlling an empty soda can with this “Remote-Control Roller”.