A student attaches two identical balloons (X and Y) to the ceiling using a nylon thread so that the balloons are near each other. The table shows the observations from three different activities performed with the balloons.What evidence supports that there is a non-contact force between the balloons?

Question

A student attaches two identical balloons (X and Y) to the ceiling using a nylon thread so that the balloons are near each other. The table shows the observations from three different activities performed with the balloons.What evidence supports that there is a non-contact force between the balloons?

Responses

The balloons are not in contact and tend to move away from each other when both are rubbed with wool.
The balloons are not in contact and tend to move away from each other when both are rubbed with wool.

The balloons are not in contact and tend to move away from each other when both are rubbed with rubber.
The balloons are not in contact and tend to move away from each other when both are rubbed with rubber.

The balloons are not in contact and tend to move close to each other when both are rubbed with a glass rod.
The balloons are not in contact and tend to move close to each other when both are rubbed with a glass rod.

Answer 1

The first two statements provide evidence that there is a non-contact force between the balloons. When both balloons are rubbed with wool or rubber, they tend to move away from each other, indicating the presence of some type of force causing them to repel each other. This phenomenon suggests that there is an interaction between the charged balloons, even though they are not in direct contact with each other.