What happens when you rub a balloon with wool?
Rubbing the balloon onto your hair or onto the wool fabric adds electrons to the balloon and causes the balloon to become negatively charged. Like charges repel (the two balloons, once charged, will move away from each other) and opposite charges attract (the paper will be attracted to the charged balloons.)
What purpose does the steel wool in the experiment serve?
The “Burning Steel Wool” demonstration is an engaging means to illustrate that increasing the amount of available oxygen increases the rate of combustion. A 9-volt battery is used to ignite a small piece of steel wool, first in air, and then in an oxygen-enriched environment.
What happens when you mix vinegar and steel wool?
When soaked in vinegar, the acetic acid removes the protective coating on the steel wool and the iron is able to rust. Acetic acid is a hydrophyllic (polar) solvent. This is because the acetic acid from the vinegar will react with the iron from the steel wool to form iron acetate and hydrogen gas.
Does wool cause static?
No. Wool actually is an insulator. Wool actually gives up static charge rather than hold it. We perceive it to have charge when there is a static discharge, but it’s actually the charge from the other object flowing to the wool.
Why do strands of your hair stand after you take off your hat?
As you remove your hat, electrons are transferred from hat to hair, creating that interesting hairdo! Remember, objects with the same charge repel each other. Because they have the same charge, your hair will stand on end. Your hairs are simply trying to get as far away from each other as possible!
Can steel wool cause a fire?
Steel wool is considered to be flammable as it can catch fire readily. This is mostly due to the increased surface area when compared to solid steel.
Who invented steel wool?
In 1917, a Wear-Ever Aluminum cooking utensil salesman by the name of Irwin Cox was looking for a way his customers could keep their new pans shining bright. His invention: a pre-soaped steel wool pad.
How does steel wool rust?
When steel wool is wet, the water seeps into the metal’s tiny gaps. The water serves as an electrolyte to allow the electrons from the oxygen to gravitate toward the iron. The hydrogen bond in the water acts as an acid that gives rust its corrosive properties.
What happens when you put a nail in vinegar?
The salt/vinegar solution dissolves some of the iron and its oxides on the surface of the nail, leaving a negative charge on the surface of the nail. Opposite charges attract, but the copper ions are more strongly attracted to the nail than the iron ions, so a copper coating forms on the nail.
How to do the steel wool 9 volt experiment?
This steel wool and 9 volt battery experiment is a fun, easy way for middle and high school students to learn about electricity, physics, and chemistry. It only requires 3 materials and some adult supervision. Materials. Procedure. 1) Pull the steel wool apart into thin strips and then form a loose ball.
How does steel wool work in a battery?
Steel wool is made mostly of iron (about 98%). These iron threads have lots of surface area surrounded by pockets of oxygen. When both battery terminals touch the steel wool, the electrons from the battery move rapidly through the steel wool and make a complete circuit.
What happens when you put iron in steel wool?
This reaction creates the spark that we see and the release of heat that heats up the next iron molecules, thus causing chain reactions through the steel wool. This reaction of iron and oxygen, also, creates a new substance, iron oxide (FeO2).
What should I wear to a science experiment?
First and foremost, the most important thing to keep in mind before doing any science experiment is SAFETY. Be sure to wear protective goggles for your eyes, and protective gloves when necessary. We’re not dealing with dangerous chemicals in any of these experiments but protective eyewear is an absolute must in any case.