1.

Hypothesis: There exists a triboelectric series between the materials given, as charges can be
transferred between the materials by the triboelectric effect. These materials can be ordered by
their strength and polarity of their electrical charge.
The hypothesis will be tested by rubbing the given cloths with the given rods for 15 seconds and
measuring the charge of the rods on a charger sensor. Data will be recorded in an included excel file.
Given cloths: silk, polyethylene, cotton, wool, acetate
Given rods: glass, nylon, polystyrene, polyethylene, acrylic, PVC

Method of rubbing rod on cloth:

2. Data:

Charge measured with charge sensor

(nC)
Glass
PVC
Polystyrene
Nylon
Polyethylene
Acrylic
-------------Charge measured with electroscope
Glass v. Polyethylene
Glass v. Acetate
Balloon v. Hair

Wool
9.16 nC
-8.57
nC
-6.19
nC
0.16 nC
-6.96
nC
4.61 nC

0.6
0.3
1.9

Cotton
1.3 nC
-2.24
nC
-3.45
nC
0.14 nC
-4.78
nC
0.7 nC

Silk
5.75 nC

Polyethylene Acetate
26.81 nC
8.84 nC

-7.2 nC

-8.29 nC

-8.69 nC

-4.14 nC
0.22 nC

1.43 nC
.54 nC

1.79 nC
.51 nC

-5.1 nC
4.33 nC

.3 nC
20.12 nC

-3.13 nC
6.91 nC

3. The triboelectric series tested experimentally:

Glass
Acrylic
Cotton
Wool
Nylon
Silk
Polystyrene
Acetate
Polyethylene
PVC

(+)

(0)

(-)

4. Random sources of uncertainty: We do not create a uniformly distributed charge along the
surface of the rods by rubbing them, there can be certain areas with a higher concentration of
charges vs others. The varying pressures at which we rub the cloth and the rods also adds
uncertainty to our experiment.
Systematic sources of uncertainty: The charge sensor is not the most accurate device when it
comes to measuring charge on surfaces, due to the presence of charges in the air or anything
else that the alligator clip touches. We attempted to fix this by zeroing the device each time, but
even then there were variations.

5. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis stated. This can be explained by the triboelectric
effect and that materials gain and lose different charges when rubbed with others due to
friction.
This lab could be improved by defining the prompt more clearly as during the beginning of the
lab, it was very confusing to know what we were supposed to do. Additionally, it would be
easier to write a lab report without putting entire page-breaks in between each response.