Homemade Lightning with a Pie Pan

This demonstration shows how static electricity can generate a small lightning-like spark. By rubbing a wool sock on a polystyrene food box and placing an aluminum pie pan on top, students can observe the buildup and discharge of static electrical charges that mimic lightning in nature.

1. Gather materials: a polystyrene (styrofoam) food box, an aluminum pie pan, a wool sock or piece of wool fabric, scissors, and tape.
2. Cut a strip of polystyrene from one half of the food box and tape it upright to the center of the aluminum pie pan to serve as a handle.
3. Tape the remaining half of the polystyrene box flat-side up onto a table.
4. Rub the wool sock vigorously on the flat surface of the polystyrene for about 30 seconds without touching it with your hands.
5. Place the aluminum pie pan on top of the charged polystyrene using only the polystyrene handle.
6. Turn off the lights. Bring your finger close (about 0.5 cm or ¼ inch) to the pie pan—you should see or feel a small spark.
7. Lift the pie pan by the handle, bring your finger near again, and repeat. Recharge the polystyrene by rubbing it again when the sparks stop.

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• Replace the aluminum pan with other materials (plastic, paper, or foil) to test conductivity.
• Try substituting the polystyrene with plastic, cardboard, or glass.
• Use different fabrics (cotton, silk, polyester) instead of wool to see which produces the strongest charge.
• For a simpler version, rub a balloon on your hair and bring it near a metal object in the dark to see sparks.

• Perform the experiment away from flammable materials.
• Do not perform near electronics or sensitive devices.
• Conduct in a dry environment for best results but avoid static buildup near liquids.

• Why does rubbing the wool against the polystyrene create static electricity? (Electrons transfer from the wool to the polystyrene, giving it a negative charge.)
• Why does a spark appear when you move your finger close to the aluminum pan? (The difference in charge causes electrons to jump through the air, creating a mini lightning bolt.)
• What happens when you lift the aluminum pan from the polystyrene? (The pan regains electrons from your finger because the polystyrene’s influence is removed.)
• How is this similar to real lightning in a thunderstorm? (Both occur when charge differences between clouds and the ground are neutralized by a flow of electrons through the air.)
• Which materials produce the strongest static charge? (Typically, wool and polystyrene are good combinations because they transfer electrons effectively.)