a) Are the bits of paper pulled towards

Question

Observing electrostatic forces : Take a balloon. Inflate it and tie up the open end. Now cut a paper into small pieces and place them on floor. Rub the balloon with a paper and using the balloon near the pieces of the paper. 

a) Are the bits of paper pulled towards

b) Why does the balloon pull or attracts the pieces of paper?

c) Try to use pepper and salt in the place of pieces of paper. What do you observe?

d) Why does the pen fall down?

e) What is the force which pulls the pen down?

f) If we keep the same pen on a table, it does not fall down. Why?

Answer 1

a) Yes, the bits of papers pulled towards balloon.

b) When the balloon is rubbed with a paper it acquires charge and it induces opposite charge which brought near to it. So the pieces of paper are attracted by balloon.

c) They do not attracted by the balloon. Gravitational force: It is our common experience that if a pen slips off from our hands it falls down to the floor.

d) Some force is acting in downward direction.

e) Gravitational force exerted by the earth.

f) The gravitational force exerted by earth is balanced by normal force between pen and surface of the table.