PH - 262 / 11 Fall 2001

Engineering Physics II

Professor: Alvandi

Submitted By:

Andrew Buettner

Partner: Peter Fetter

Lab #2: Static Electricity

Thursday, March 06, 2003

Table Of Contents

1) Cover Page...............................1

2) Table of Contents.....................2

3) Objective..................................3

4) Components Used....................3

5) Procedures................................3

6) Lab Data / Results.....................3



1) Table 1...........................................3

7) Answers to Lab Questions........4

8) Conclusions..............................4

9) Attachments..............................4

Objective

The objective of this lab is to observe static electricity and obtain an understanding about it's characteristics through observation.

Components Used

1) Electroscope

2) Silk

3) Fur

4) Glass Rod

5) Plastic Ron

Procedures

1) Rub the plastic rod with the fur, then touch the rod to the plate of the electroscope.

2) Remove rod and record observations.

3) Rub the glass rod with the silk, then touch it to the electroscope, and record new results.

4) Discharge electroscope by touching plate.

5) Rub the plastic rod with the fur and bring it close to the plate without it touching.

6) Record observations.

7) Keeping the rod close, but not touching the plate, touch the plate and record observations.

8) Remove finger from the plate and record observations.

9) Move the rod away from the electroscope and record observations.

Lab Data / Results

1) Table 1: Resulting information

Number	Action:	Effect:
1	Touched charged plastic rod	Leaves Separate
2	Touched with glass rod	Leaves partially came together
3	Plate touched and rod brought near	No change
4	Rod moved close	Plates begin to separate
5	Rod removes	Plates collapse

Answers to Lab Questions

1) Q: What are the principal components of the atom?

A: Electron, Proton, Neutron.

2) Q: What is an ion?

A: An ion is simply a free electron.

3) Q: Where does the negative charge emanate from when the glass is rubbed with the silk?

A: The negative charge is formed by electrons, freed by friction, traveling from the silk to the glass rod.

4) Q: What is the charge on the silk after charging the rod, and explain.

A: The silk hold a positive charge equal, but opposite that of the glass rod so that the net charge of the rod and silk is zero. This is a direct result of the law of conservation of mass and charge.

Conclusions

From this lab it is understood that the atom is composed of many charged particles that can be stripped away easily with the use of a mechanical force. Additionally, this lab demonstrates that opposite charges attract, and ultimately will cancel each other out, and that like charges repel. Also this lab demonstrates that the field produced by ions exists only on the surface of a metallic object.

Attachments

1. Original Lab Data

2. Calculations