Separating Salt and Pepper
Materials:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Toothpick
- Plastic Comb
- Table with a table cloth
- A wool sweater
Instructions:
1. Prepare a table with a clean table cloth on top.
2. Sprinkle some salt on the table cloth (about a dime in size) and then sprinkle some pepper on top. Mix the two with the toothpick. Don't use your finger so that moisture from your hand do not dissolve either of the particles.
3. Take your plastic comb and rub it vigorously on the woolen sweater. This will give the comb a charge of static electricity.
4. Hold the comb over the salt and pepper mixture. The pepper should be attracted by the static electricity and stick to the comb.
5. Gently tap the comb on another side of the table cloth and see how much pepper you've gathered.
You are unlikely to be able to separate all the salt and pepper unless you charge the comb really well or several times. This is a good time to introduce your child to the concept of static electricity as well. It may be difficult for them to grasp, but their knowledge of its existence can make it easier for them to understand it in the future.
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