Why is a balloon attracted to the wall

When you put it near a neutral object paper, Styrofoam or puffed rice cereal , the electrons in the object repel away from the balloon and the protons are attracted to the balloon.

This movement of the electrons causes the neutral object to get a low positive charge. When an one object is rubbed against another, static electricity would be created. This is because the rubbing creates a negative charge that is carried by electrons. Similarly, when you rub a balloon on your head it causes opposite charges to build up both on your hair and the balloon. When you rub the balloon on your hair or clothes it picks up extra electrons, giving the balloon a negative charge.

When you bring the balloon near the paper, the electrons from the balloon repel the electrons in the paper. Since more protons are at the surface of the paper, it has a positive change. When a rubber balloon is rubbed against human hair, electrons are transferred from the hair to the rubber, giving the balloon a net negative charge, and leaving the hair with a net positive charge. As the balloon is pulled away, the opposite charge on the hair causes it to be attracted to the balloon.

This gives the balloon a slightly negative charge and you and your hair a slightly positive charge, and opposite charges attract each other and try to stick to each other.

An electrical charge is created when electrons are transferred to or removed from an object. Because electrons have a negative charge, when they are added to an object, it becomes negatively charged. Clear editor. Upload or insert images from URL. The pages of APlusPhysics. Their use is encouraged and is free of charge. Linking to information on this site is allowed and encouraged, but content from APlusPhysics may not be made available elsewhere on the Internet without the author's written permission.

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Share More sharing options Followers 0. Previous entry Physics of Mirrors. Next entry Physics of a Toaster. I remember when we did this in class. I used to love doing this as a kid!