AIRPLANE

Electrostatic Airplane

You can make toys like airplane which operate on the principle of static electricity.

An electrostatic airplane consists of a thin piece of aluminum foil, cut into the shape of a small airplane, and an inflated balloon mounted at the tip of a 12 inch dowel.

Cut the foil airplane pattern and fold the plane along the dotted line. Then unfold it, but do not flatten it completely. Fold the tail flaps up along the dotted line. Attach a few squares of tape to the nose to improve the flight.

Inflate the balloon and stretch the neck over the tip of the dowel. Wrap tape around the end of the dowel to ensure a tight fit, as necessary.

Rub wool or fur against the balloon to give it a negative charge. Toss the airplane in the air and touch it with the balloon. Now both airplane and balloon have negative charges and will repel each other. Use the balloon to keep your airplane in the air by repulsion. If you find that the balloon on a dowel is too unwieldy, try substituting a plastic baseball bat or any other plastic rod or wand. Rub it vigorously with wool or fur as before.