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Explanation of experiments with static electricity - Succeed in Physical Science. Also refer to physics, science, sparks, electroscope, static cling, attraction, repulsion, balloons, measurement, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Experiments with Static Electricity:
Device for Detecting Static Electricity

by Ron Kurtus (revised 26 January 2001)

You have seen examples of static electricity. This makes you wonder if there is a good way to detect static electricity.

Solution: Electroscope

A device that is used to detect static electricity is an electroscope. It is not difficult to make.

Materials

You can use everyday materials to make an electroscope like this.

Procedure

  1. Cut the cardboard a little bigger than the top of the jar.
  2. Stick the nail through the middle of the cardboard lid.
  3. 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.
  4. Put the lid on the jar.
  5. When you put a charged object close to the nail head, the foil strips should separate.

Draw conclusions

Why do the foil strips separate?

Answer: Each strip gathers similar electrical charges through the nail, and like charges repel.

Jump to Where can you go from here?

Student letter about Electroscope

"I am in the 7th grade and doing a science fair project in which 15 different objects can be charged with static electricity. While doing this I experienced some trouble.

When I make an electroscope (using a nail through the top of a cardboard lid over a glass jar with pieces of aluminum attached to the nail) and put a charged object near the head of the nail, the aluminum foils should part. But instead nothing happens. I think it might be with how I attached the aluminum to the nail. If you could tell me the exact way to attach the aluminum or if there is another way to see if an object is charged I’d be VERY happy. Thanks"

Answer:

A big problem with static electricity is that often it does not work if the weather is damp. It works the best on a dry day, like in the winter.

The aluminum foil must be very thin and lightweight to work. Or you must have a lot of static electricity available. If it doesn't work, check out how you are making your static electricity. You can rub a glass or plastic rod with some wool or fur. One good way to make static electricity is to comb your hair. Before you use your electroscope, check to see if your source of static is any good. Try to pick up some small pieces of tissue paper. If that works, then your electroscope should work too.

Note that when you do an experiment and it does not work, look for reason to explain why not. Sometimes an experiment may not work in class when it did at home. You can show pictures or drawings of it working at home and then explain the reason it didn't work at school that day--like because the humidity is too high.

Good luck in your project.

Ron Kurtus

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Where can you go from here?

Experiments

Sticking a Balloon to Things

Also see:

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Survey Results
Experiments with Static Electricity
Static Electricity

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