Question

The following are steps in an investigation into electrically charged objects.

Step #1: Blow up a balloon.
Step #2: Rub the balloon against your hair.
Step #3: Rub a plastic fork against your hair.
Step #4: Bring the two objects together and observe what happens.

Which steps are required to charge the objects? (2 points)

a
Steps #1 and #2

b
Steps #2 and #3

c
Steps #3 and #4

d
Steps #1 and #4

Answer 1

b. Steps #2 and #3

Step #1: Blowing up a balloon is not necessary to charge the objects, as it does not involve any rubbing or contact with other materials.

Step #2: Rubbing the balloon against your hair is necessary to charge the balloon.

Step #3: Rubbing a plastic fork against your hair is necessary to charge the fork.

Step #4: Bringing the two objects together and observing what happens is not necessary to charge the objects, but it is necessary to observe the effects of the charges on the objects.