Sticky Tape Teaser

electron - static electricity - positive charge - negative charge - attraction

In this brainteaser, students discover that sticky tape can pick up electrons as well as dirt, dust, and hair!

Introduction

Electrons tend to move around, so there are usually free electrons moving around the surface of most objects, including tables. When you peel sticky tape off a surface like a table, it takes some electrons with it making it negatively charged.

In the first part of the activity, both tape A (with C) and B are peeled off the table, collecting electrons from the table. When brought together, they repel each other since they're both negatively charged.

In the second part of the activity, tape C is peeled off tape A, collecting electrons from tape A. This leaves tape A positively charged, which attracts the negatively charged tapes B and C.

Remember: opposite charges attract and like charges repel.

Objectives

Students will be able to: