Electrostatics Topic

Students observe that rubbing different materials together separates charge, producing positive or negative static electricity detectable with an electroscope. Demonstrates the triboelectric series and conservation of charge.

Demonstrates charging by induction using a negatively charged Lucite plate and a grounded metal plate. The metal plate can be repeatedly charged positive without depleting the insulator's charge, making the …

Demonstrates that two types of electric charge exist and that like charges repel while opposite charges attract. The suspended rod with known positive (glass) and negative (Teflon) reference charges acts …

Two pith balls on threads demonstrate that like charges repel and opposite charges attract. Charge the balls with glass (positive) and Teflon (negative) rods to show both cases. Use shadow …

Suspended balloons are charged by rubbing with felt (negative) or against a Teflon disk (positive) to demonstrate electrostatic attraction and repulsion. The separation angle provides a qualitative measure of the …

Demonstrates charge detection and polarity using a projection electroscope visible to the entire lecture hall. Students observe leaf deflection in response to charged objects, illustrating charging by contact, charging by …

Demonstrates charge detection using a pivoting metal vane (versorium). An uncharged vane is attracted to any charged object regardless of polarity; once charged by contact, it distinguishes sign through attraction …

**This instrument has been removed from inventory.** It provided quantitative electrostatic charge and potential measurements, substituting for an electroscope with numerical readout via a projection meter on overhead projector.

Demonstrates electrostatic induction using two copper spheres on Teflon supports. A charged sphere induces charge separation in a nearby neutral conductor; the projection electroscope and proof plane verify that the …

Demonstrates that charge on a conductor resides entirely on its outer surface. A charged sphere is surrounded by conducting hemispheres; the proof plane and electroscope show the outer surface carries …

Demonstrates charging by induction using a needle electroscope. A charged rod induces charge separation; grounding while the rod is nearby permanently transfers charge of the opposite polarity. Test the sign …

A hand-cranked electrostatic generator demonstrates charge separation, voltage buildup, and dielectric breakdown. Connecting the Leyden jars increases system capacitance, producing less frequent but dramatically more energetic sparks -- a vivid …

A Van de Graaff generator with transparent column and removable sphere reveals the internal belt, rollers, and discharge combs. Students observe how charge is transported mechanically and transferred via corona …

Demonstrates electrostatic charge accumulation, high-voltage generation, and dielectric breakdown. On a dry day, the generator produces sparks up to ~11 cm (~275 kV), allowing quantitative voltage estimation from spark length.