Electrostatics - Fluorescent Light & Cat's Fur


 

 

 

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 Code Number :   5A10.21

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.

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Condition :   Good   
Principle :   Electrostatics  
Area of Study :  Electricity & Magnetism  
Equipment :   Fluorescent light, balloons,  silk, cats fur, Saran Wrap.

Procedure :   Rub the Fluorescent light with the cats fur in a darkened room.  The light should appear to flash momentarily as it is being rubbed.  Balloons or Saran Wrap can be substituted for the cats fur.
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   References

J. David Gavenda,  "More Light on Fluorescent Tubes,"  TPT, Vol. 36, # 6, p. 325, (Sept. 1998).

Michael H. Brown, "In a Dark Room, Let There Be Light!" TPT, Vol. 36, # 5, p. 296, (May 1998).

Philip E. Highsmith, "Static Electricity Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 6, # 8, Nov. 1968, p. 427.

 

Brown, "Light by Friction," 200 Illustrated Science Experiments for Children, p. 121.

Janice VanCleave, "Fly Away" and "Glow." 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible Experiments, p. 108.

Janice VanCleave, "Glow," Physics for Every Kid,  p. 9.

Joey Green, "Human Lightbulb", The Mad Scientist Handbook, Vol. 1, p. 47.



Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille