Got a grampa? Now grab his comb! It’s time for fun with science! Ever wonder how electricity works? This simple trick demonstrates how electrically charged objects have the power to attract things that have a neutral charge (learn more about this below). This concept in essence is how we get to use electricity to power our appliances, charge batteries and to keep our lights on.

To do this nifty little “trick”, all you will need is:

• A dry room
• A plastic comb (the real grampa kind)
• A tap with water
• A full head of dry hair

Here’s what you do:

1. Open the tap to let out a thin and slow stream of water
2. Frantically rub the comb on to your hair for about 10 seconds
3. Quickly, without letting the comb come into contact with anything, place it right near the stream of water, millimetres apart, and watch as the water bends towards you.
4. I put a little demonstrative video together for you below:

Is it magic? Nope! It’s pure science in all of its splendor. 

THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT

You get two types of electrical charges, namely: positive and negative charges. When you frantically rub the comb against your hair, it gathers more negative electrons. The water has both positive and negative charges, but when the negatively charged comb comes near it, it repels the negatively charged electrons pushing them to the opposite side of the water. This leaves the positive electrons on the side closest to the comb. The negatively charged electrons then attract the positively charged electrons. The result: the water and its positive charges get tugged in the direction of the comb, causing it to bend slightly. 

Electricity works exactly the same:

A current of electricity is a steady flow of electrons. When electrons move from one place to another, round a circuit, they carry electrical energy from place to place like marching ants carrying leaves. Instead of carrying leaves, electrons carry a tiny amount of electric charge. - www.explainthatstuff.com/electricity.html

Science has never been so simple! What I really love about this experiment is that it is safe for kids to mess around with on their own, something cool they can show their buddies during a sleepover for instance! So, the next time you find yourself combing your hair in front of the bathroom mirror, give some science a go and watch the power of static electricity do what it does best!

Much love - @sweetpea