Charging Rods
Purpose
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.
Figure 1:
Complete charging rod demonstration setup showing the needle electroscope for detecting charge, charging rods (Teflon, glass, or Lucite), and various charging cloths (silk, wool, cotton, or cat fur) used to generate static electricity through the triboelectric effect.