# A student rubs a woollen jumper against a balloon. The balloon is then held close to, but not touching, small pieces of tissue paper on a table. The pieces of tissue paper are attracted towards the balloon. Explain why the tissue paper is attracted to the balloon.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) — 2.3 Electric charge · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Rubbing transfers electrons from the woollen jumper to the balloon, giving the balloon a negative (static) charge.
2. The negative charge on the balloon repels negative charges (electrons) in the tissue paper, so they move away from the surface closest to the balloon.
3. This leaves the surface of the tissue paper closest to the balloon with a positive charge (net positive charge on that side).
4. The unlike/opposite charges attract, so the positively charged surface of the tissue paper is attracted to the negatively charged balloon.

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- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
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