1304D Electrostatic LAB (27pts)
  • Write all answers in your bound journal
  • Make it NEAT and in COMPLETE SENTENCES, clearly identify which section you are working (using numbers)
  • Box final answers if doing math.
  • -4pt if you do not title and date the entry
  • -1pt (per infraction) if you do not clearly identify the sections, or number the problems
Materials
  • balloons
  • lightweight string
  • salt & pepper
  • lightweight paper
  • water faucet
Dancing Balloon
  1. Blow up 2 balloons and tie each one closed. Tie a long thread or string onto the end of each balloon.
  2. Give each balloon a static charge by rubbing it with your hair.
  3. Hold each balloon by the end of the thread and try to bring the balloons close to each other.
  4. (4pts) Illustrate this exercise (Be sure to include charges [+ and -]) and explain what happens and why in your lab book.
Dancing Water
  1. Rub an inflated balloon with your hair to charge the balloon as you did above.
  2. Turn on a faucet so a thin, steady stream of water comes out.
  3. Bring the balloon near the stream of water.
  4. (4pts) Illustrate this exercise (Be sure to include charges [+ and -]) and explain what happens and why in your lab book.
Dancing Paper
  1. Tear up little pieces of paper 1cm x 1cm and place the pieces of paper on the table.
  2. Rub an inflated balloon with your hair to charge the balloon as you did above.
  3. (4pts) Illustrate this exercise (Be sure to include charges [+ and -]) and explain what happens and why in your lab book.
Aluminum Foil
  1. Tear up little pieces of aluminum foil 1cm x 1cm and place the pieces on the table.
  2. Rub an inflated balloon with your hair to charge the balloon as you did above.
  3. (4pts) Illustrate this exercise (Be sure to include charges [+ and -]) and explain what happens and why in your lab book.
Salt and Pepper
  1. Sprinkle some salt onto a plate or tabletop.
  2. Bring a charged balloon near the salt.
  3. Illustrate this exercise (Be sure to include charges [+ and -]) and explain what happens and why in your lab book.
  4. Then, sprinkle some pepper onto the table so that you have a mixture of salt and pepper. How do you think you might be able to separate the salt from the pepper? Hypothesize in your lab notebook
  5. Bring your charged balloon near the pile of salt and pepper particles. What
  6. (4pts) Illustrate this exercise (Be sure to include charges [+ and -]) and explain what happens and why in your lab book.
  7. (1pt) Is this a good way to separate salt and pepper if they accidentally get mixed?
Static Electricity Questions (6pts)
  1. What are the three subatomic particles and what are their charges?
  2. What will happen if two positively charged objects come into contact?
  3. Why is there no overall charge in a neutral object?
  4. How can an object become charged?
  5. If an object gains electrons, what will its overall charge be?
  6. If an object loses electrons, what will its overall charge be?