Floating Ghost STEAM activity

Watch the demo video above

You will need:

• Balloons

• Ball of wool, wooly hat or scarf or head of hair

• PVC Rod or pipe cut-off (optional)

• Tissue paper

• Pens or pencils

• A flat surface

• [Optional: paper towel tubes for the tower game]

The science bit:

Why do the ghosts float?

When we rub the balloon (or PVC rod) on the ball of wool, some tiny particles, called electrons, are transfered from the wool, to the balloon. Electrons have a negative charge, so now that the balloon has extra electrons, it has a small negative charge too.

The tissue ghosts have no charge, but when the charged balloon is brought near, the negative charge pushes the electrons in the tissue away a little (repels) leaving more positiviely charged particles (called protons) to the side closest to the balloon.

Opposites attract, so the negative charged balloon pulls on the positively charged area of the tissue ghost and lifts it into the air. The forces (called electro-static foces) between these charges are very weak, but they are enough to lift the tissue ghost in this case, because the ghosts are so light.

Static electricity is temporary. Eventually the extra electrons fall off the balloon so the negative charge is gone and the tissue ghosts fall back down to the table.

Lesson plan:

Download the free lesson plan, with instructions, questions to ask and extension ideas.

Safety and inclusion note:

• Latex: check for latex allergies before using balloons. A PVC rod or pipe offcut works as a latex-free alternative

• Balloons: adult supervision is needed for blowing up balloons (if not already blown up) and for any burst pieces, which are a choking hazard for younger children. Pick up fragments straight away. Some children are nervous of balloons or fearful of popping, so consider using the PVC pipe alternative only, if balloons cause too much stress to any individuals

• Static shocks: the charge from a balloon is tiny and safe, but some children may dislike the possible crackle sound when rubbed on hair. Let them opt out of the hair rubbing and use wool instead

• Keep the activity calm so ghosts are not blown away by hands or breath

• Ensure that age appropriate safety scissors are used by the children and that appropriate adult supervision is in place. If use of scissors is not suitable, the ghost shapes can br prepared in advance or children can tear around the shapes with their hands, instead of using scissors.

Let me know!

If you try this STEAM activity, I’d love to hear how it goes. You can email me [naomislavelle@gmail.com] or tag me in your instagram posts if you share any photos or videos [tag @synaple_science].