https://physlab-wiki.com/ 2026-05-13T13:05:04+00:00 https://physlab-wiki.com/ https://physlab-wiki.com/lib/tpl/UChicago/images/favicon.ico text/html 2021-09-15T12:30:19+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://physlab-wiki.com/physicsdemos/electricity_and_magnetism/electrostatics/electrophorus?rev=1631723419&do=diff Electrophorus Charge a dielectric by rubbing it with fur. Move the aluminum plate close to the charged dielectric, but do not allow them to come in contact. Momentarily touch the Al plate with your finger, allowing charge to flow between your body to the Al plate. Removing your finger from the Al plate leave the plate charged. An electroscope (not shown) may be used to demonstrate the presence of charge on the Al plate. One may discharge the Al plate and recharge it repeatedly from the dielec… text/html 2021-09-15T12:30:55+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://physlab-wiki.com/physicsdemos/electricity_and_magnetism/electrostatics/electroscopes?rev=1631723455&do=diff Electroscopes Electroscopes are available for demonstration of the presence of electric charge. When charged, both leaves have the same charge and are pushed apart. J5 PIRA DCS 5A22.22 text/html 2024-02-22T16:45:42+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://physlab-wiki.com/physicsdemos/electricity_and_magnetism/electrostatics/kelvins_water_dropper?rev=1708638342&do=diff Kelvin's Water Dropper Also known as “Kelvin's Thunderstorm,” this electrostatic generator works as follows: The flow rate from the top water reservoir (containing some NaCl) is reduced until separate drops fall through the two metal rings. Each ring is electrically connected to the conducting catch pan on the opposite side. Since the catch pans are electrically insulated from each other, they will have a slight initial difference in charge. If the left catch pan (and right ring) are… text/html 2021-09-15T12:48:50+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://physlab-wiki.com/physicsdemos/electricity_and_magnetism/electrostatics/pith_ball_electroscope?rev=1631724530&do=diff Pith Ball Electroscope Two pieces of uncharged pith are suspended by strings so that they are separated by approximately one half of an inch. When one of the pieces is electrostatically charged and released the two pieces of pith are momentarily attracted and then repel. text/html 2021-09-15T12:37:58+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://physlab-wiki.com/physicsdemos/electricity_and_magnetism/electrostatics/projection_electroscope?rev=1631723878&do=diff Projection Electroscope The shadow image of a gold-leaf electroscope is projected onto one of the lecture hall walls. A large prism may be used for proper orientation of the image. J5, F0, G0 PIRA DCS 5A22.30 text/html 2021-09-15T12:40:03+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://physlab-wiki.com/physicsdemos/electricity_and_magnetism/electrostatics/rods_fur_and_silk_with_pivot?rev=1631724003&do=diff Rods, Fur, and Silk with Pivot Static electric charge separation is achieved via the triboelectric effect. One may use the pivot with the insulating rods to show that similarly charged materials repel one another and that oppositely charged materials attract. By placing an aluminum rod in the pivot one may demonstrate the attractive force between a charged material and a conductor. text/html 2021-09-15T12:41:05+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://physlab-wiki.com/physicsdemos/electricity_and_magnetism/electrostatics/triboelectric_paddles?rev=1631724065&do=diff Triboelectric Paddles A pair of insulated and electrically neutral paddles are rubbed together causing a transfer of electric charge due to the triboelectric effect. Using an electrometer with a Faraday cage one can observe the polarity and magnitude of the charge on each paddle. text/html 2021-11-30T09:59:38+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://physlab-wiki.com/physicsdemos/electricity_and_magnetism/electrostatics/van_de_graaff_generator?rev=1638284378&do=diff Van de Graaff Generator Description The Van de Graaff generator collects electrostatic charge on its dome at potentials on the order of 100 kV. One may observe 3-4“ discharge arcs between the charge collecting and grounded spheres. Pie plates placed on the charge collecting sphere will fly off when the generator is turned on. A person charged by the Van de Graaff will experience his hair standing on end. A wig is provided for those with short or no hair. text/html 2021-11-29T18:57:47+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://physlab-wiki.com/physicsdemos/electricity_and_magnetism/electrostatics/van_de_graaff_generator_pendulum?rev=1638230267&do=diff Van de Graaff Generator Pendulum Requirements: * Parallel plate capacitor * Metal sphere hung from a nonconducting string * Van de Graaff generator Description: One of the plates of the capacitor is connected to the dome of the generator, while the other one is grounded. The pendulum bob is centered between the two plates and allowed to move freely. When the generator is turned on, the plate connected to the dome will become negatively charged. This will cause the metal sphere to bec…