Explanation of how Static Electricity is detected - Succeed in Physical Science. Also refer to physics, electricity, static cling, attract, repel, ions, electrons, negative, positive, electroscope, electrostatic locator, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Detection of Static Electricity
by Ron Kurtus (11 November 2006)
Static electricity is the collection of electrical charges on the surface of a material. The electrical charges on the material—usually a nonconductor of electricity—may be positive (+) or negative (−). If there is an abundance of positive ions or atoms that have lost 1 or more electrons, the static electricity charge is positive (+). If there is a collection of free electrons or of negatively charged ions, the static electric charge is negative (−). Often there are two surfaces near each other with opposite charges. Detection of these charges and their associated electrical field can be done by observing the physical effect of the static charges, by using an electroscope or by using an electrostatic locator device.
Questions you may have include:
- How is static electricity detected by a physical effect?
- What does an electroscope do?
- How is an electrostatic locator?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
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(Note: If you are looking for information on how to stop getting static electricity shocks, see Controlling Static Electricity.)
Physical effects
Whenever a material is charged with static electricity, it will attract material of opposite and neutral charges. Since the forces created by static electricity are usually small, very lightweight objects can be used to detect static electricity.
Small pieces of tissue paper, finely ground pepper, and small Styrofoam pellets can be used. If you suspect an object contains a static electric charge, you can bring it close to some of these lightweight materials to see if they are attracted to the object.
You can even use the hairs on your arm to detect static electricity. The hairs will stand on end and point toward the static charge. One amusing form of detection is often seen when a person gets near a Van de Graaff static electricity generator and the hair on the person's head stands on end.
Electroscope
An electroscope is a device that detects static electricity by using thin metal or plastic leaves, which separate when charged. A metal plate or ball is brought near an object with a suspected static electric charge. Electrical charges move to the metal and down to the foils, which then repel each other. Since each has the same charge (positive or negative) they repel each other.
A simple electroscope detects static charges
Electroscopes can also be used to measure the amount of static electricity. A professional or laboratory electroscope is calibrated to not only detect static electricity, but also to determine the size of the charge or electrical field.
Professional electroscope is calibrated to measure static electricity
Electrostatic locator
An electrostatic locator is an electronic device used to detect and measure the electrostatic fields around objects. This device is fairly expensive ($400) and is primarily used in industry where static electricity may be causing problems.
Summary
Static electricity is the collection of electrical charges on the surface of a material. Detection of these charges and their associated electrical field can be done by observing the effect on lightweight objects, by using an electroscope or by using an electrostatic locator device.
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Resources
The following resources provide information on this subject:
Websites
Books
Top-rated books on Static Electricity
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. Why is finely ground pepper used to detect static electricity?
2. When do the leaves of an electroscope move apart?
3. Why would a company buy an expensive electrostatic locator?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Physical Science. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Detection of Static Electricity