Volta's Hailstorm - Jumping Particles

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 Code Number :   5B10.31

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 :   Volta's Hailstorm, Static Sticks ( large and small ), Van de Graaff Generator or Whimshurst Generator.

Procedure :   Volta's Hailstorm - Put pith balls, vermiculite, or aluminum foil into the cylinder. As this is brought near a Van de Graaff generator the particles will bounce rapidly up and down.  This is due to the fact that the particles are attracted towards one plate until they touch it and gain the same charge as the plate.  At that time they are repelled by that plate and attracted to the other plate until they touch that plate and the cycle repeats. 

The static sticks ( large and small ), are both used in the same manner.  Charge the plastic tube by rubbing with cat's fur or a paper towel and the particles inside will stick to the walls of the tube.  Touching your finger to the plastic tube will cause the particles inside to move in an interesting fashion.   

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   References

Dave Van Domelen, "A Pocket Electrostatics Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 41, # 5, May 2003, p. 306.

Steve Dail,  "Floating Styrofoam Spheres,"  TPT, Vol. 39, # 7, p. 402, (Oct. 2001).

R. D. Edge,  "Bags, Balloons, and Such,"  TPT, Vol. 30, # 6, p.  379, (September 1992).

D. S. Ainslie, "Construction and Uses of Equipment for Demonstrating the Fundamental Principles of Electrostatics", TPT, Vol. 2, # 1, Jan. 1964, p. 32.

 

Eb-12:  Freier and Anderson,  A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.

 

Tik Liem, "The Paper Jumping Jacks," Investigation to Science Inquiry, p. 237.

 

Brian Holton, "A Learning Center Electric Field Demonstration", PIRA Newsletter, Vol. 7, # 5, July 1993, p. 2.

35:  Stangl, "Dancing Snow," Science Toolbox.

"Electrical Fleas," Science Snackbook, p. 46.1 - 46.2.

Janice VanCleave, "Paper Hop," 200 Gooey, Slippery, Slimy, Weird, & Fun Experiments, p. 46.

Janice VanCleave, "Tinkle," 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible Experiments, p. 109. 

Raymond Bruman, "Pluses and Minuses," Exploratorium Cookbook I, p. 78.1 - 78.4.

Ron Hipschman, "Electric Fleas," Exploratorium Cookbook III, p. 141.1 - 141.2.



Mail Questions and Comments to:  Dale Stille