Results at last

1 cm (first, second and third attempts)

2cm (first, second, third attempts)

3cm (first, second, third attempts)

After conducting the experiment once again, it is finally done! Here's a short video of the process. The video shows the balloon placed near the tap at a distance of 1cm, 2cm and 3cm respectively. The experiment is then conducted again for another two times.

The water "bending" experiment

“Bending” water using static electricity

Research question: Does the distance between the stream of water and the balloon affect the degree of ”bend” of the water?

Materials: Water faucet, balloon, balloon pump, protractor, ruler, camera, scale, metronome 

Hypothesis: The closer the balloon is to the stream of water, the larger the degree of ‘bend’ of the water. 

Variables:

Dependent: Degree of ‘bend’ of the water

Independent: Distance between the stream of water and the balloon

Constant: Size of the stream of water, size of the balloon, amount of static electricity produced, material of the balloon, amount of air pumped into the balloon, speed of metronome, number of times balloon is rubbed against hair, 

Experiment procedure:

1. Make a scale and place it behind the water faucet (Ensure that the stream of water is flowing straight along the line drawn on the scale)
2. Place a small distance scale on top of the tap to roughly estimate the distance 

3. Use the balloon pump to pump up the balloon (about 10 pumps)

4. Rub the balloon against your hair (about 50 times)

5. Use a metronome to ensure constant speed (150 BPM) 

6. On the water faucet

7. Place the balloon near the faucet (about 1cm)

8. Take a video of the process
9. Repeat steps 3-8 at distance of 2cm and 3cm
10. Repeat the experiment again for another two times
11. Use the online protractor tool to measure the degree of the 'bend' in the stream of water

12. Tabulate the results for easy reference

Results: 

	Degree of ‘bend’ of the water stream
Distance between balloon and the stream of water	1st attempt	2nd attempt	3rd attempt	Average
1cm	5.79°	5.11°	3.05°	4.65°
2cm	3.36°	3.22°	2.64°	3.07°
3cm	2.87°	1.74°	0.79°	1.80°

 Figure 1 

Figure 2 

Figure 3

Data analysis:
Original Hypothesis: The closer the balloon is to the stream of water, the larger the degree of ‘bend’ of water.

From the background research conducted, it is proven that water can indeed ‘bend’ under the influence of static electricity. However, there is no mention about whether or not the distance between the stream of water and the charged object will affect the degree of ‘bend’.

By collecting the data of the results, the hypothesis can be proven. Figure 1 in the results column above shows the average degree of ‘bend’ of the stream of water when the balloon is placed at three different distances away from the stream as a down-sloping graph. The stream of water ‘bends’ at an average angle of 4.65° the balloon is placed at a distance of 1cm away from it and at an average angle of 1.80° when placed at a distance of 3cm away from the stream. There is an obvious decrease in the degree of ‘bend’ when the balloon is placed at 1cm, 2cm and 3cm respectively. A simple interpretation of the graph would be that degree of ‘bend’ of the water increases when the distance between the stream of water and the balloon decreases, proving the hypothesis correct. 

By relating it back to the main research question does the strength of attraction between the negative charges on the balloon and positive charges in the stream of water affect the degree of ‘bend’ of the stream of water, the results proved that distance, one of the variables affecting the strength of attraction, affects the degree of ‘bend’ of the stream of water, providing 50% of the evidence needed to prove the main hypothesis correct.  

Conclusion: The closer the balloon is to the stream of water, the larger the degree of the 'bend' of water.