Science · Static Electricity

Balloons and Static Electricity

Rub the balloon on the sweater to move negative charges, then release it and watch how charge makes it attract and repel.

Science

See what happens

Charging scene

Drag the balloon across the sweater, then let go.

Static Electricity
Balloon charge 0
What is happening Balloon is neutral
Why A neutral balloon has equal positive and negative charge, so it is not attracted yet.

Simulation tools

Keyboard help

Use Tab to move between controls. Focus the charging scene to move a balloon with the keys below.

TabShift + Tab

Move to the next or previous control.

EnterSpace

Press a focused button, radio option or menu item.

←→↑↓

Move the active balloon when the scene is focused.

Space

Grab or release the active balloon while the scene is focused.

B

Switch the active balloon when the second balloon is shown.

R

Reset the whole simulation.

Esc

Close a menu or dialog, or leave full screen.

Pandai Simulation

Balloons and Static Electricity

Version 0.5.3

A Pandai interactive science simulation about static electricity.

Rubbing transfers negative charges from the sweater to the balloon. The charged balloon is attracted to the positively charged sweater and to the wall through induced charge separation, while two like-charged balloons repel. The force model is simplified for clear, qualitative motion rather than exact physical values.

A neutral balloon in the middle of the scene. Rub it on the sweater to charge it.

Simulation support

Report an Issue

Tell us what went wrong so the simulation can be improved.

Issue Type
Screenshot (optional) Coming soon
Screenshot attachment is not available in V1.