Electric Charge

Basic Information

This site tells the story of the history of the universe. Click Earlier and Later to follow the story. Note: Many facts have been simplified to make them easier to understand.

You can stick a balloon to the ceiling - see drawing (a) - by first rubbing it on a woolen jumper. The force which holds it up is caused by electric charge.

As the Universe expanded and cooled the particles moved slower. They began to feel an electric force pulling them towards each other. The electrons carried something called a negative electric charge. Protons on the other hand carried a positive electric charge. These opposite charges attracted, pulling the particles towards each other.

So why does the balloon stick to the ceiling? I asked him
"As you rub, you pull electrons off the balloon onto the wool. This gives the balloon a positive charge (because it is short of electrons). When put near the (b) ceiling it attracts electrons in the ceiling. They move slightly downwards towards the balloon, so giving the surface of the ceiling a slight negative charge. The negative of the ceiling and the positive of the balloon attract and hold the balloon up." he said. I began to wonder what I would have for lunch.

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15 Billion Years ago

Physical Environment > Electric Charge

Basic Information