Producing Static Charge – 5A10.00

Electroscopes – 5A10.10

Electroscope 5A10.10

Electroscope1 5A10.10

  • Rub friction rods PVC pipes and acrylic using fur, silk, or wool to give it a charge.
  • Glass rubbed with silk takes on a positive charge as the silk removes electrons from the glass. Amber becomes negatively charged as it strips electrons from fur.
  • Hold rod close to the electroscope receiver and watch the leaves separate.

Location: Demo Room

Electric Charge Detector – 5A10.11

ElecChargeDetec_5A1011

  • A simple electroscope that detects an electric charge and determines whether it is positive or negative.
  • It has a red LED and a transistor.
  • The gate wire of the transistor acts as an antennae.
  • Bring any statically charged item toward the apparatus and watch the LED.

Locattion: Jacobs B122 – Shelf 259

Static Electricity/Human Powered Light – 5A10.12

  • Hold on to the light bulb wires and walk across a carpeted area dragging the feet as you go.
  • A charge of static electricity is built up that discharges through the light bulb in the hand.
  • If enough charge is generated the bulb will glow in free air.

Location: Jacobs B122 – Shelf 259

Electrostatic Charges – “Fun Fly Stick” – 5A10.13

Fun Fly Stick 5A10

  • The “Fun Fly Stick” is like a mini Van de Graaf Generator. It accumulates charge on its shaft.
  • This charge can be transferred to a lightweight mylar films.
  • The mylar films come in an assortment of different shapes
  • Without any contact with the shaft, the mylar stays suspended in air.

Location: Jacobs B122 – Shelf 273