Water bends toward a charged object (like a balloon or plastic rod) because water molecules are
polar — meaning they have a slightly positive end and a slightly negative end.
When you rub a balloon on your hair or clothes, it gains extra electrons and becomes negatively charged. When you bring that charged balloon near a stream of water:
- The negative charge on the balloon repels the negative parts of the water molecules.
- But it attracts the positive parts of the water molecules.
- Since the positive ends of the water molecules turn toward the balloon, the whole stream gets pulled slightly in that direction — so it “bends.”
This happens even though water as a whole is neutral — because its charges can shift around inside each molecule. It’s like tiny magnets lining up when you bring another magnet close.
The same thing works with a charged plastic rod — if it’s negatively charged, it will attract the positive ends of water molecules. If it were positively charged, it would attract the negative ends. Either way, the water bends toward the charged object.
So, static electricity doesn’t pull on water because water is charged — it pulls because water molecules can rotate to line up their opposite charges with the static charge nearby.
Final Answer:
Water bends because its molecules are polar — they have positive and negative ends. A statically charged object (like a rubbed balloon) attracts the opposite charge in the water molecules, pulling the stream sideways.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of balloon static electricity experiment worksheet.
