National Static Electricity Day (January 9)
If you’ve ever jumped after touching a doorknob or watched your hair stand on end after pulling off a hat, you’ve already experienced static electricity in action.
National Static Electricity Day on January 9 is a fun excuse to lean into those everyday science moments and explore why they happen.
Keep reading to discover more about one of the wacky holidays in January!
When is the Holiday?
National Static Electricity Day is celebrated annually on January 9th. It’s the perfect time to explore the science behind static electricity and have some fun with simple experiments.
Who Invented It?
There isn’t a clear creator behind the holiday. It seems to have developed over time as people found fun ways to highlight everyday science. While the day itself is modern, curiosity about static electricity goes back thousands of years.
The History of the Holiday
Static electricity has been observed for thousands of years. The first recorded study comes from Thales of Miletus, a Greek philosopher who noticed that rubbing amber attracted small particles.
Later, Theophrastus described a similar effect, referring to it as the “power of attraction.”
In the 17th century, the German scientist Otto von Guericke studied static electricity in more detail.
Benjamin Franklin later investigated how static electricity appeared in storms, and Charles-Augustin de Coulomb contributed to understanding its forces.
Michael Faraday also made significant discoveries, linking static electricity to magnetism and battery power.
Top 5 Facts About National Static Electricity Day
- Ancient Discovery – Static electricity was first documented by Thales of Miletus over 2,500 years ago.
- Lightning Connection – Lightning is a giant discharge of static electricity in the atmosphere.
- Winter Phenomenon – Static electricity is more noticeable in winter due to dry air, which reduces moisture that helps dissipate electric charge.
- Balloon Fun – Rubbing a balloon on your hair transfers electrons, making the balloon stick to walls.
- Shocking Science – Static shocks occur when excess electrons jump from one surface to another, rebalancing the charge.
Coloring Page
For younger kids, this free coloring page is a simple way to introduce static electricity before trying hands-on experiments.
Activities to Celebrate
- Make Your Own Static Detector – Create a simple electroscope using aluminum foil and a glass jar to see static electricity in action.
- Charge and Attract Experiment – Use different materials like wool, plastic, and rubber to see which generate the most static electricity.
- Static Electricity Relay Race – Have kids race to move lightweight objects, like paper scraps or foam beads, using only the static charge from a balloon.
- Electrified Bubbles – Blow soap bubbles near a charged balloon and watch how they are attracted or repelled by static electricity.
- Create a DIY Lightning Experiment – Use a balloon and a fluorescent light bulb to see how static electricity can momentarily power up the bulb.
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Links to Resources
Static Electricity Experiment for Kids. Step-by-step instructions for an engaging static electricity activity that teaches kids how electrons transfer between objects.
Electric Cornstarch Experiment. A fascinating experiment combining cornstarch and static electricity to create an interactive and sensory learning experience. Great for tactile learners.
Charged Up: The Story of Electricity. A kid-friendly book that explores the history and science of electricity, including how static electricity works in real-world applications.
Einstein’s Static Electricity LAB Science Kit. A hands-on science kit designed to teach kids about static electricity through interactive experiments and engaging activities.
Nikola Tesla Unit Study. Explore the life and contributions of Nikola Tesla with this in-depth unit study. Learn about his groundbreaking work in electricity, magnetism, and alternating current through interactive worksheets.
Related Holidays
- January 19 – National Popcorn Day – Did you know static electricity can make popcorn jump? Try experimenting with it while celebrating this tasty holiday!
- January 17 – National Kid Inventors’ Day – Honoring inventors who contributed to discoveries in electricity and science.
- April 10 – National Siblings Day – Static electricity experiments are even more fun when done with a sibling!
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