Electrostatics - Rods and Pivots

 

 

 

content.gif (1503 bytes)
 Code Number :   5A20.10  

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 :   Lucite Rod, PVC rod, Cats Fur, Silk, Desiccator with Drying Agent, Rods on Pivot.

Procedure :   Charge both rods on the rotating support by rubbing them with Cats Fur.  The Lexan side will have a positive charge and the Plexiglas side will have a negative charge.  Bringing a charged rod close to the rotating rods will show attraction and repulsion. 
conbot.gif (53 bytes)


   References

Jay Zimmerman, "Electrostatic Whirligig", TPT, Vol. 25, # 7, Oct. 1987, p. 469.

 


Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille