Static charge (electrons, in this case) can be physically transferred from one object to another through friction. Students will use rubber, glass, fur and silk to create positive and negative charges, and investigate how these charges cause forces.
Required Equipment
Ring Stand, Pith Balls, Friction Rod Kit, Plastic Meter Stick, Paper Towel, Wool Pad, Electroscope, Electrophorus
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dwight "Buzz" Putnam for his assistance in developing this lab. Buzz is a 25 year veteran physics teacher at Whitesboro High School, New York Science Teacher of the Year and Host of the Regents Physics Answers television show on PBS. You can also find him refereeing high school basketball games as well as presenting at the NSTA National Conferences.
Download Teacher Notes and Student Worksheets
The "Electrophorus" required for this lab can be made by your students. Each lab group would need one Electrophorus; get details on to make them here CoolStuff 18.
The "Paper Towel" required for this lab is readily available at your local grocery store.
The "Plastic Meter Stick" required for this lab is available from your local office supply store. Each lab group would need one.
