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Explanation of Static Electricity Experiment: Make an Electroscope by Ron Kurtus - Succeed with Science Projects and Experiments. Key words: science, sparks, electroscope, static cling, attraction, repulsion, balloons, measurement, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Static Electricity Experiment: Make an Electroscope
by Ron Kurtus (revised 17 November 2012)
An electroscope is a simple device used to detect nearby static electricity, as well as to give an indication of the strength of the electric field.
A good demonstration project is to make an electroscope to use in other experiments.
Questions you may have include:
- What is your purpose?
- What materials are used?
- How is the electroscope made?
This lesson will answer those questions.
Purpose
The purpose of the project is to make a working model of an electroscope and then test it out to detect static electricity.
Materials
You can use everyday materials to make a simple electroscope:
- Glass jar or flask
- Cardboard or cork cover or lid
- Metal rod or large nail
- Leaves made of two pieces of thin metal foil
- Ball of aluminum foil at top of nail or spi
Simple electroscope
Procedure
- Cut the cardboard a little bigger than the top of the jar.
- Stick the nail through the middle of the cardboard lid.
- Attach two pieces of thin (thickness) Mylar foil to the end of the nail. You might try some thin plastic strips or even thin paper.
- Put the lid on the jar.
- When you put a charged object close to the nail head, the foil strips should separate.
Test device
Create some static electricity by running a comb through your hair or rubbing a balloon against a sweater. Then test your electroscope by brining the source of static charges close to the device. The fols leaves should separate.
Summary
You can easily make a working model of an electroscope.
Electrify others
Resources
The following are resources on this topic.
Websites
Books
Top-rated books on Science Fair Projects
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Static Electricity Experiment: Make an Electroscope