Demonstrations

Triboelectric Series

Code Number :	5A10.15
Disclaimer :	Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website. The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: University of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Good
Principle :	Electrostatics
Area of Study :	Electricity & Magnetism
Equipment :	See file 5a10.15 in the E & M section.
Procedure :	The triboelectric series lists solids that when rubbed together with another on the list the one listed higher receives a positive charge and those below it a negative charge. Two such lists are:
	Positive (+) Items lose electrons mica wool nylon polished glass lead silk aluminum, zinc filter paper cotton dry wood unpolished glass Lucite/Perspex paraffin wax polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polystyrene polyethylene soft rubber sulfur hard rubber Teflon Saran wrap Negative (-) Items gain electrons Smithsonian Triboelectric Series Positive (+) Items lose electrons rabbit's fur glass mica wool cat's fur silk cotton wood amber resins metals (Cu, Ni, Co, Ag, etc.) sulfur metals (Pt, Au) celluliod Negative (-) Items gain electrons Positive (+) Items lose electrons asbestos rabbit's fur glass hair nylon wool silk paper cotton hard rubber synthetic rubber polyester Styrofoam orlon saran polyurethane polyethylene polypropylene polyvinyl chloride (PVC pipe) teflon silicone rubber Negative (-) Items gains electrons	Positive (+) Items lose electrons asbestos fur (rabbit) glass mica wool quartz cat's fur lead silk human skin, aluminum cotton wood amber resins Brass, Cu, Ni, Co, Ag etc. rubber sulfur metals (Pt Au) celluloid India rubber Negative (-) Items gain electrons Not-So-Common Materials Positive (+) Items lose electrons silicone elastomer with silica filler borosilicate glass, fire polished window glass ethylcellulose rock salt (NaCl) wool, knitted silica, fire polished silk, woven cellulose acetate cellulose (regenerated) sponge cotton, woven polyurethane elastomer polystyrene polyurethane flexible sponge Borosilicate glass, ground surface polyvinyl butyral epoxide resin natural rubber sulfur polyethylene Negative (-) Items gain electrons

References

Walter Roy Mellen, "Inexpensive Electrostatic Halos," TPT, Vol. 28, # 9, p. 612, (December 1990).

E-010: "Triboelectric Series," DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.

Gorazd Planinsic, "You Can Make Sweet Electricity In Your Kitchen", Physics Education, Vol.39, (1), Jan. 2004, p. 36.

Simon Quellen Field, "The Triboelectric Series", Gonzo Gizmos, p. 59.

10.02: R.D. Edge, String & Sticky Tape Experiments.

R.A. Ford, "Tribolectrification and Contact Electrification," Homemade Lightning, p. 90- 92.

Robert P. Lanni, "Electrostatics Demonstrations," Apparatus for Teaching Physics, p. 193.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille