REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY – SARMIENTO CAMPUS
College of Professional Teacher Education
STATIC ELECTRICITY: POWERING A PAPER BOAT THROUGH
ELECTROSTATIC FORCE
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course Electricity and Magnetism
Academic Year 2026-2027
Prepared by:
Campo, Cassandra Kae Q.
Casoy, Lara Joyce C.
Echano, Mary Ann G.
Ladot, Micaella Divine G.
Nonan, Sean Walter F.
Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Science
Third Year
Submitted to:
Mary Christine Lachica
Course Professor
August 2026
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, the students are expected to,
● Explain how electrostatic force is produced through the charging of objects.
● Describe how electrostatic attraction and repulsion can cause a paper boat to
move.
● Demonstrate the effect of electrostatic force
● by performing an activity that powers a paper boat using a charged object.
● Relate the observed movement of the paper boat to the principles of static
electricity and electrostatic force.
Pre-test
Direction: Read and analyze each question carefully. Encircle the letter of the correct
answer.
1. Which of the following is the primary reason why static electricity is produced when a
plastic object or balloon is rubbed against hair?
A. Addition of heat to the material
B. Transfer of electrons between the two objects
C. Destruction of protons inside the atom
D. Formation of a magnetic field around the balloon
2. What happens to two objects that possess the same type of charge (e.g., both
positive or both negative)?
A. They stick together
B. They attract each other
C. They repel each other
D. Nothing happens
3. What is the phenomenon where a neutral object (such as a thin piece of paper) is
attracted to a charged object without them physically touching?
A. Charging by Friction
B. Thermal Expansion
C. Magnetic Conduction
D. Electrostatic Induction
4. Which of the following is the best real-life example of static electricity?
A. Formation of a magnetic field around the balloon
B. A stove heating up when turned on
C. Clothing clinging to your body after being taken out of a clothes dryer
D. A lightbulb illuminating a room
5. When a charged object is brought near a small, neutral piece of paper or dust
particle, what generally happens?
A. The neutral object is attracted to the charged object
B. The neutral object always flies away permanently
C. The neutral object is immediately destroyed
D. Nothing happens because neutral objects cannot interact with charges
Static Electricity: Powering a Paper boat Through Electrostatic Force
Have you ever wondered why some objects suddenly stick together or why your hair stands
on end when you take off your sweater? In our daily lives, we experience phenomena
caused by static electricity. Unlike the electricity that flows continuously through wires to
power devices, this type of electricity builds up on the surface of objects.
In this module, we will explore how static charges behave, how objects become charged
through friction, and how an invisible electrostatic force can be harnessed to do work—such
as powering and moving a lightweight paper boat across water without physical contact.
Static Electricity
Static electricity refers to an imbalance between positive and negative electric
charges on the surface of a body. It is called "static" because the charges remain
stationary (at rest) on the surface rather than flowing continuously through a path like
current electricity. This imbalance is typically introduced by physical means, such as
contact or friction between solid objects.
At the atomic level, all matter is composed of
protons (positive charge) in the nucleus and
electrons (negative charge) orbiting around it.
Because protons are tightly bound within the
nucleus and cannot move freely, only
electrons—which are held loosely in
materials—can be transferred.
The triboelectric effect and Charging by Friction
When two distinct solid objects come into contact or rub against each other, the
transfer of electrons occurs through a process known as charging by friction, or the
triboelectric effect. Due to varying affinities for electrons among different materials,
one material will lose electrons while the other gains them. For example, when a
rubber balloon is vigorously rubbed against dry hair or a woolen cloth, electrons are
transferred from the hair to the balloon.
As a result, the balloon acquires a negative charge owing to the excess electrons,
whereas the hair or cloth becomes positively charged due to the loss of electrons.
Law of Electric Charges
The interaction between charged bodies is governed by fundamental electrostatic
rules known as the Law of Electric Charges. This law dictates that:
● Objects with like charges (two positives or two negatives) will repel each
other.
● Objects with opposite charges (one positive and one negative) will attract
each other.
● A charged object and a neutral object will also experience an attraction due to
internal charge shifts.
Electrostatic Induction and Electrostatic Force
When a charged object is brought near a neutral object without making direct
physical contact, a phenomenon known as electrostatic induction occurs.
Redistribution of Charges: Although a neutral object (such as a lightweight paper or
foil boat floating on water) maintains an overall balance of charges, the presence of
a nearby charge prompts internal charge redistribution. For instance, bringing a
negatively charged balloon close to the paper boat causes the balloon's negative
charges to repel electrons within the paper, displacing them and inducing positive
charges to migrate closer.
Formation of Electrostatic Force: This temporary redistribution of charges results in
an invisible electrostatic force of attraction between the charged balloon and the
neutral paper boat.
Relevance to the Experiment: Due to the attraction between opposite charges, the
paper boat is drawn toward the balloon. As the charged balloon is moved across the
water surface, the boat follows its trajectory, thereby demonstrating how static
electricity can generate work and induce motion over a distance without physical
contact.
Real Life Examples:
Static electricity is not only something that can be observed during laboratory
experiments. It is also present in many situations that we experience in our everyday
lives. Static electricity occurs when there is an imbalance of electric charges, often
caused by the transfer of electrons when two materials come into contact or rub
against each other. The accumulated charge can produce an attractive or repulsive
force and may eventually be released through an electrostatic discharge.
The following are some common examples of static electricity in everyday life:
1. Hair Sticking to a Comb
When a plastic comb is repeatedly passed through dry hair, friction can cause
electrons to transfer between the hair and the comb. The comb becomes electrically
charged and can attract the hair or other lightweight objects. This is why strands of
hair may move toward the comb even without direct contact. A rubbed comb can
also attract small pieces of paper because of electrostatic forces.
2. Clothes Sticking Together
Static electricity can also cause clothes to cling together after being removed from a
dryer. The repeated contact and rubbing between different fabrics can result in the
transfer of electrons and the buildup of electric charge. The charged clothes can then
attract one another, causing them to stick together. This is one of the everyday
electrostatic experiences identified in science education resources.
3. A Balloon Sticking to a Wall
When a balloon is rubbed against hair or clothing, electrons can be transferred,
leaving the balloon electrically charged. When the charged balloon is brought close
to a wall, it causes charges within the wall to redistribute slightly. This creates an
electrostatic attraction between the balloon and the wall, allowing the balloon to
remain attached temporarily.
Laboratory Activity
Background
Static electricity is the buildup of electric charges on an object. When a balloon is rubbed
against hair or a dry cloth, it becomes electrically charged. In this activity, the charged
balloon is brought near a paper boat floating on water to observe how electrostatic force can
attract and move the boat without direct contact.
Objectives
At the end of the activity, the students are expected to:
1. Demonstrate how a charged balloon can move a paper boat.
2. Observe the effect of electrostatic force on the paper boat.
3. Explain how electrostatic force causes the boat to move.
Materials
- Balloon
- Paper
- Water
- Shallow basin or batya
- Dry cloth or hair
- Ruler
Procedures
1. Make a small paper boat using a piece of paper.
2. Fill the basin or batya with water and place the paper boat on the surface.
3. Allow the water to become still before starting the experiment.
4. Rub the balloon against dry hair or a dry cloth for about 20–30 seconds to charge it.
5. Place the charged balloon near the paper boat without touching it.
6. Observe what happens to the paper boat.
7. Repeat the experiment by placing the balloon at different distances from the boat, such as
10 cm, 5 cm, and 3 cm.
8. Record your observations in the table below.
Observation Table
Distance| Observation
10 cm|
5 cm|
3 cm|
Guide Questions
1. What happened to the paper boat when the charged balloon was placed near it?
2. What happened when the balloon was moved closer to the boat?
3. Why did the paper boat move even though the balloon did not touch it?
4. How does this activity demonstrate electrostatic force?
Assessment
Name:__________________ Date :__________
Instructions: Read each question carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer.
Use a separate clean sheet of yellow paper.
1. What is static electricity?
A. The continuous flow of electric current
B. The buildup of electric charges on an object
C. The production of heat from an object
D. The movement of water through a conductor
2. Which situation is an example of static electricity?
A. A fan rotating when plugged into an outlet
B. A flashlight turning on with a battery
C. Water flowing through a pipe
D. Hair sticking to a balloon after it is rubbed
3. What happens when two different materials are rubbed together?
A. Electrons may be transferred from one material to another
B. Protons move freely between the materials
C. Both materials automatically become neutral
D. The materials become magnetic
4. Which particle is mainly involved in the transfer of charge during charging by
friction?
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Nucleus
5. Why does a balloon become electrically charged when it is rubbed against a
cloth?
A. It becomes warmer
B. It gains or loses electrons
C. It changes its shape
D. It absorbs water from the cloth
6. What is charging by friction?
A. Charging an object by connecting it to a battery
B. Charging an object by placing it in water
C. Charging an object by heating it
D. Charging an object through rubbing with another material
7. What force is involved in the attraction or repulsion of electric charges?
A. Electrostatic force
B. Gravitational force
C. Frictional force
D. Buoyant force
8. What happens when two objects have like charges?
A. They attract each other
B. They become neutral
C. They repel each other
D. They lose their charges
9. What happens when two objects have opposite charges?
A. They repel each other
B. They attract each other
C. They stop interacting
D. They become magnets
10. In the paper boat demonstration, why is the balloon rubbed before being brought
near the boat?
A. To make the balloon heavier
B. To make the water move
C. To change the shape of the boat
D. To give the balloon an electric charge
11. What happens when the charged balloon is brought near the lightweight paper
boat?
A. The boat can move because of electrostatic interaction
B. The water immediately evaporates
C. The balloon loses all of its charge
D. The boat becomes magnetic
12. Why can electrostatic force affect an object even when the charged balloon does
not touch it?
A. Because the boat produces electricity by itself
B. Because the water pushes the balloon
C. Because electrostatic force can act without direct contact
D. Because the balloon becomes heavier
13. Which of the following best explains the movement of the paper boat?
A. The balloon heats the water
B. The charged balloon interacts with the lightweight boat through
electrostatic force
C. The paper boat creates its own electric current
D. The water pulls the balloon toward the boat
14. Which everyday experience is most closely related to charging by friction?
A. A spoon becoming hot in soup
B. A light bulb turning on
C. Hair becoming attracted to a balloon after rubbing
D. Ice melting under the sun
15. Which statement about electric charges is correct?
A. Like charges repel while opposite charges attract
B. Like charges always attract
C. Opposite charges always repel
D. Electric charges cannot interact with one another
16. What is one reason why the paper boat is made lightweight?
A. So it can absorb more water
B. So it can sink faster
C. So it can become electrically charged more easily
D. So the effect of the electrostatic force can be more easily observed
17. Which of the following best describes electrostatic force?
A. A force produced only by moving objects
B. A force caused by the interaction of electric charges
C. A force that only affects water
D. A force that requires a battery to work
18. If the balloon is not properly charged, what would most likely happen during the
demonstration?
A. The paper boat may show little or no noticeable movement
B. The boat will automatically move faster
C. The water will become electrically charged
D. The balloon will become a magnet
19. What is the main concept demonstrated by rubbing the balloon and bringing it
near the paper boat?
A. Heat transfer
B. Magnetic induction
C. Static electricity and electrostatic force
D. Continuous electric current
20. What is the main purpose of the Static Electricity-Powered Paper Boat
demonstration?
A. To show that paper can produce electricity
B. To demonstrate how water creates electric charges
C. To compare different types of boats
D. To show how static electricity can produce an observable effect through
electrostatic force
References
Library of Congress. (2024, October 1). How does static electricity work? Everyday
Mysteries.
[Link]
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University of Wisconsin–Madison. (n.d.). Static electricity experiments. The Wonders
of Physics. [Link]
Victorian Department of Education. (n.d.). Electrostatics: A non-contact force.
[Link]
ce/continuum/Pages/[Link]
Hlazo, N. (2025). Investigating dialogical argumentation and assessment for learning
as instructional model for teaching static electricity to science learners. International
Journal of Educational Development in Africa.
[Link]