“Magic” salt and pepper

Get those brains working with this simple experiment at home. Not only is it cool, but it also teaches us about how static energy works!

All you need:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Plate/Bowl
• Balloon, Plastic Comb or Wool

Instructions:

• Put some salt and pepper in a small dish. Stir it together.
• Charge wool or a plastic comb with static energy by rubbing the wool together, rubbing a balloon against your head or running a plastic comb through your hair. (Don’t touch anyone!)
• Hold the statically charged comb/wool or balloon over the dish, and they will attract the pepper causing it to jump up out of the dish! If you hold them too close, the salt will jump up too, so it might take a little practice for just the right “magic” effect!