A student rubs a balloon on a woollen jumper. The balloon becomes electrically charged.
The student holds the balloon near a thin stream of water falling from a tap.
The stream of water bends towards the balloon. The balloon does not touch the water.
Explain how the balloon can exert a force on the water without touching it.
State the direction of the force that the water exerts on the balloon.
The student moves the balloon further away from the stream of water.
Suggest what happens to the stream of water. Give a reason for your answer.
Compare the electrostatic force between the balloon and the water with the gravitational force between the water and the Earth.
Give one similarity and one difference.