These bulbs use a different technology to create light by using electricity to energize gas inside the bulb to create light. This other common type of household light bulb is a fluorescent, often referred to as a CFL bulb. This type of bulb will not work with the static electricity of a balloon in our light bulb balloon experiment because it takes way more energy than the balloon can produce.Īlthough this light bulb balloon experiment does not produce enough energy to light up an incandescent bulb, there is a different type of bulb that requires much less electrical energy and will light up from the static electricity of the balloon! Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL): The filament in an incandescent light gets hot enough that it glows and produces the light we see in a light bulb.

Incandescent light bulbs use electricity to heat up a small wire, called a filament. One type of light bulb is called an incandescent light bulb. There are two common types of light bulbs depending on the method they use to provide the light that we all count on them for. Just how bright your bulb will be able to get from the balloon’s power will depend on the wattage and quality of your light bulb, but you should be able to catch a few quick flickers of light at the very least! How a Light Bulb Works Simple Explanation Your light bulb should be energized enough by the balloon’s static electricity that the light bulb will start to flicker and briefly light up the dark room you are in. Step 5: Enjoy Watching the Light Bulb Flicker and GlowĪs long as you have done steps 1-4 correctly, and you are using a good CFL (fluorescent) bulb that is not burned out, then you should see something pretty cool happening before your eyes! While holding the light bulb steady and keeping the balloon just above, but not touching the light bulb, go ahead and move the balloon up and down and side to side above the light bulb. You do want to be careful not to touch the balloon to the lightbulb because this will discharge all the static you worked hard to create and you will have to start at step 2 again. Use one hand to hold the CFL lightbulb upright and use your other hand to hold your static-filled balloon about an inch above the lightbulb. Whatever the case may be just make sure to close those blinds, turn off the lights, and make it as dark as you can so that you can see the magic happen before your eyes! Step 4: Hold the Balloon Above the Light Bulb

The darker you can get the room to be, the easier it will be to see your light bulb flicker when the balloon is placed over it. If you are doing this light bulb balloon experiment in the daytime, you might want to do it in a bathroom or laundry room that does not have windows. Step 3: Make Sure You are in a Dark Location One thing that you do want to use caution with is not to rub the balloon across your chest if you have a pacemaker as it could create problems. Rub the balloon for about 10 seconds or until you can start to feel the static building up. Grab your newly filled up balloon and begin rubbing it on your hair quickly! If you are like me and prefer to not mess up your hair, then you can also rub the balloon on your shoulder, or even your pant leg to create enough static electricity.

Step 2: Create Some Static by Rubbing the Balloon on Your Head or Clothes Once you blow enough of your hot air into your balloon you can tie it off and get ready for the next step. This step is super simple, but you do want to use a fairly large balloon for the best results in this light bulb balloon experiment. Watch in amazement as the light bulb begins to flicker and briefly light up!.Hold the balloon above a CFL lightbulb while moving the balloon up and down just above the balloon.Turn off the lights or go to a very dark area.Rub the balloon on something like a shirt or clothing that will create static electricity.Inflate a large balloon with air and tie it off.How do You Light a Light Bulb With a Balloon?

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