a balloon
some feathers

Static electricity is electricity at rest. It is produced by friction, by rubbing. All matter contains positively charged particles called protons and negatively charged particles called electrons. In an uncharged atom, the protons and electrons balance each other and the atom is neutral. If this neutral atom loses an electron, because it has an excess of protons, it is said to be positively charged. If the neutral atom gains an electron, it is said to be negatively charged. Rubbing can tear electrons loose from certain atoms. Some substances, because of the character of their atoms, tend to lose electrons and become positively charged; other substances gain electrons easily and become negatively charged.

Experiment 2:

What is static electricity?

Rub a balloon on a wool sweater or on your hair.

When you rub the balloon, negative electrical charges, or electrons, pass from your hair to the balloon.

Now move the balloon close to some feathers.

As you can see, the balloon's electrons repel the feathers' electrons and attract their positive charges.

If you don't have a balloon, try the same experiment by rubbing the plastic handle of a utensil with a cloth. Like the balloon, the plastic handle will attract small, light objects.

The feathers stick to the balloon. You've made static electricity!