Electrostatics

Triboelectric Effects

[M | t | ★★★]
Ebonite rod/fur, or glass rod/silk, to generate static charges.
[In-Depth Description]

Induced Electric Dipole

[M | t | ★★]
Neutral Styrofoam puffs are attracted and picked up by charged rod.
[In-Depth Description]

Polarization of Two Spheres

[M | t | ★★★]
Two neutral metal spheres become oppositely charged in the presence of a charged object.

Electroscope

[S/M | t | ★★★★]
Gold leaf projection or large arm balance versions of qualitative electrometers.
[In-Depth Description]

Conservation of Charge to 3 Sig Figs

[M | t+ | ★★★]
A neutral system of charges is rearranged...charge measured on rabbit's fur is equal and opposite to the charge on the teflon, which has been rubbed with the fur.
[In-Depth Description]

Conservation of Charge to 2 Sig Figs

[M | t+ | ★★★]
A neutral system of charges is rearranged...charge measured on a fleece sweater is equal and opposite to the charge on a silk shirt, which has been in contact with the fleece.
[In-Depth Description]

Coulomb's Law

[L | t+ | —] Charged, helium-filled balloons repel and/or attract each other.
[S | t | —] A small apparatus also shows the effect more quantitatively.

Hair Raising

[M | t | ★★★★]
Wig or hippy volunteer, use a Van de Graaff generator to make your hair repulsive.
[In-Depth Description]

Electrostatic Bells

[S | t | —]
Electically charged bells are repeatedly struck by a small ball which is alternately attracted and repelled by them.

Electrostatic Motor

[M | t+ | —]
Ping-pong ball oscillates inside parallel plate capacitor.

Wimshurst Machine

[M | t | —]
Antique electrostatic generator.
[In-Depth Description]

Kelvin Water Dropper

[M | t+| —]
Unique electrostatic generator...Purcell's analog of Wimshurst.

Van de Graaff Generator

[L | t+ | —]
Anti-antique electrostatic generator to be used with pie plates, etc. or just as a demonstration by itself (of static electricity generation).

Contact Us

Mailing Address: Lecture Demonstration Services, Science Center, Rm B-08A, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Campus Location: Science Center B-08A | Tel: (617) 495-5824 | Email: scidemos-at-fas.harvard.edu