Gauss' Law Concept

Demonstrations in Gauss' Law

Cardboard mailing tube with white plastic end caps and a metal rod passing through the center axis, lying on a green lab bench

Gaussian Surface Models

Physical models of the three Gaussian surface geometries (spherical, cylindrical, planar) help students visualize these abstract mathematical surfaces. Students develop intuition for selecting the appropriate Gaussian surface based on charge …
Black corrugated cardboard hinged in a V-shape with wooden dowels passing through corresponding holes in both the vertical and angled sections

Electric Flux Models

Two physical models illustrate electric flux concepts. The hinged-surface model shows that flux depends on, not surface area alone. The box model demonstrates Gauss's Law: net flux through a closed …
Projection electroscope projecting leaf shadow onto board at left, hollow conducting sphere (ice pail) on wooden stand at right, with charging rod, fur pad, and small sphere on bench

Faraday's Ice Pail

Demonstrates Gauss's Law and charge distribution on conductors. A charged sphere inserted into a hollow conductor ("ice pail") induces charge on the outer surface independent of position, shown by a …
Tesla coil with red secondary winding and metal toroid on a cart, positioned next to a person-sized wooden-framed Faraday cage with metal mesh containing a life-size Darth Vader standee
Safety

Faraday Cage and Tesla Coil

A person stands safely inside a Faraday cage while a Tesla coil hurls dramatic sparks at the exterior, demonstrating that a conducting enclosure shields its interior from external electric fields. …
Walk-in Faraday cage with wooden frame and metal mesh walls, door open, with a portable boombox radio on the adjacent demo bench
Safety

Faraday Cage and Radio

A battery-powered AM radio plays clearly inside the walk-in Faraday cage with the door open, then turns to static when the door is closed. Demonstrates electromagnetic shielding and connects to …
Plasma disk with metal ring in place; a hand touches the back and discharge paths form a bright circle at the ring edge, with streamers branching around but not crossing the interior
Safety

2D Faraday Cage

A metal ring on a plasma disk creates a 2D Faraday cage: discharge paths route around the ring's perimeter but never cross its interior. Students see direct visual evidence that …