What is needed

• One cat or a piece of something fuzzy (you don't have to use a cat; a Polarfleece jacket works nicely)
• A carpeted floor

What to do

• If your cat does not seem to mind being pushed around the floor (NOT by the tail!) get him/her. (Note: please don't do anything that upsets your cat! If the cat objects, STOP!)
• Find a carpeted room with room to move the cat around that is also fairly dark.
• Turn off the lights and find the cat in the dark.
• Slowly begin to push/drag the cat slowly along the carpet on his/her side. What happens?
• Try different speeds and see what happens.
• If you did not have a cat, try the above steps with your something fuzzy.

What is happening

Cats, and other fuzzy objects, will build up static when drawn across a carpet. You might see sparks flashing between the two! Static forms because of this: when different materials (say, carpet and cat fur) are in contact, one might have a greater liking for electrons than the other. It will then pull electrons away. This means that one material will end up with too many electrons, and the other too little. By moving the cat across the carpet, you increase the area of fur exposed to the carpet, and so you increase the charge transferred until ZAP! Sparks fly!

The contents of the page was modified from that created for the Little Shop of Physics, Colorado State University

Follow-up 1. When drawn across the carpet, what is built up on cats and other fuzzy objects? 2. If you were to look carefully, what might you see if you were to drag the cat over a carpet? 3. What causes a static charge to form? 4. What happens if electrons are pulled away from one of the two materials? 5. How can you increase the area of cat's fur exposed to the carpet? 6. What will be the end result from increasing the number of electrons on one of the objects?   Obtaining credit for your efforts Print a copy of the blank laboratory write-up paper. Read and complete each section, incomplete write-ups receive no credit. Have your parent check your work and sign the paper.