sticky balloon


 
When the air is very dry rub an inflated balloon on a wool sweater. Then put the balloon against the ceiling or a wall. Leave go and it may stay in place. If you don't have a wool cloth try rubbing the balloon on cat's fur or against your own hair. Do this when your hair is very clean and dry.
 
This works because electrons separate from the wool and accumulate on the balloon giving it a negative charge. The negative electrical charges push electrons in the wall away leaving the surrounding area of wall with a positive charge. That positive charge and the balloon's negative charge attract each other, so the balloon sticks.
 
This like most other static electricity experiments works best when the humidity of the air is less than 60 percent. Moisture conducts the charges away rapidly. In most areas of the world low humidity is found only indoors in the winter.