The Invisible Pull
When you rub a balloon on your head, tiny particles called electrons jump from your hair to the balloon. This leaves your hair with too many positive charges.
Why It Stands Up
Every hair strand now has the same charge. Since like charges push away from each other, your hairs try to get as far apart as possible. They stand up and spread out because they are all shouting at one another to stay clear.
Examples
- Rubbing a balloon on your head makes strands reach toward it.
- Wearing a wool hat creates sparks and flying hair in the dark.
- Touching a metal doorknob after shuffling feet sends a shock.
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See also
- What are electron transfer processes?
- What are electron donors or acceptors?
- What is Fe → Fe²⁺ + 2 e⁻?
- What is reduction-oxidation?
- How Does Oxidation-Reduction Reactions Work?