Objective:

To determine why Jupiter experiences continuous lightning.

Standards:

Earth in the Solar System (position, properties of sun, earth, its moon, and the planets) and Structure and Properties of Matter (atoms interact with one another by transferring or sharing electrons; the physical properties of compounds reflect molecule interaction).

Materials:

2 x 8 inch thin sheet of plastic (such as plastic report cover) and a wool cloth (any 100% wool item).

Procedure:

In a darkened room, hold the end of the plastic strip while you wrap the wool cloth around it.

Quickly pull the plastic through the cloth.

Repeat steps one and two about five or six times as quickly as possible.

Observe the cloth as you pull the plastic through it.

Science behind It:

A bluish colored light will be seen in the folds of the wool item that touches the plastic. This happens because electrons are transferred between the plastic and the wool. During the procedure, some of the electrons are rubbed off of the wool and onto the plastic strip. The wool then becomes positively charged while the plastic becomes negatively charged. As the electrons jump from the plastic back to the wool, an electric spark is created. This occurs continuously in the clouds of Jupiter’s atmosphere. Lightning occurs constantly because the winds in the atmosphere of Jupiter blow up to 800 miles per hour, causing the molecules in the atmosphere to be vigorously rubbed together at all times, just as the wool and plastic were rubbed together.