Ramez Refaat

Electrostatic Interactions
Investigation #1: Interactions Between Strips of Tape
Objective In this exercise, you will investigate how strips of tape interact when
prepared in different ways
Materials Transparent Tape (Wide tape works better than narrow)
Electroscope
Ring stand, cross bar and right angle clamp.
Information An instructor will demonstrate this procedure on the following video:
https://youtu.be/3KAj5TNc9k4
Throughout this activity, you will need to make a pair of strips of tape
referred to as a U (for upper) tape and an L (for lower) tape. Whenever
you are asked to create a set of U and L tapes (but not yet!), follow all
steps in this procedure.
Procedure to create a set of U and L tapes (Do NOT create tapes until Page 1.1.2)
 Start by obtaining a 15 cm long strip of transparent tape (use the line
on the right side of the page as a guide). Fold over its end to create a
handle. Affix it to the top of the table. This tape will be referred to as
the platform tape.
 Take a second strip of tape about 15 cm long and fold both ends over a
bit to make handles.
 Lay this tape sticky side down on top of the platform tape.
 This will be a lower tape. To help you identify this tape, take a pen
and write an L on each handle.
 Take a third strip of tape about 15 cm long and fold both ends over a
bit to make handles.
 Lay this tape sticky side down on top of the L tape.
 This will be an upper tape, so write a U on each handle.
 Pull the U and L pair upward as a single unit (i.e. still stuck together), Le
leaving the platform tape stuck to the table top. If the U and L tapes ng
separate during this step, start over. th
 Wipe your index finger lightly back and forth along the top (slick) of
surface of the U tape to remove any excess charge. ta
 Grasp the handles of the U and L tapes and yank the tapes apart. The pe
two strips of tape are now charged.
Activity 1 Introduction
When transparent tape is handled in a particular manner, it becomes
charged. The device shown below is called an electroscope. It can be used
to determine whether an object is
charged. All parts of the electroscope Charging Plate
are connected and conducting.

Needle
Fixed Plate

Written by: John W. Griffith ©2012 Mesa Community College Page 10.1.1
Mesa, Arizona 85202
Definitions We operationally define an object to have an excess charge if the needle of
an electroscope deflects away from the fixed plate when that object is
brought near the charging plate of the electroscope. Such an object is said
to be charged. An object with no excess charge is said to be uncharged
or neutral. The process of giving an excess charge to an object is referred
to as charging the object.
Important Throughout the experiments in this course, you will be asked to make both
Comment predictions and observations. When you are asked to make a prediction, it
is important that you take your best guess without first observing what
happens. Predictions will be graded on their completeness, not on their
accuracy. While predictions are not graded for accuracy, you will be
asked to (1) explain your reasoning for the prediction(s) and (2) resolve
any differences between what you predict and what you observe. Thus, it
is best to think carefully about a prediction rather than hastily recording
random thoughts. Also, at any point your instructor may ask to review
your predictions. Points may be subtracted from your lab score if you
have skipped this important step in the scientific process.
Prediction 1.1 In the space below, predict how the strips of tape, prepared as described
on the previous page, will interact (attract, repel, or neither) when you
bring them near one another. Explain your reasoning.
U tape near U tape: Repel

L tape near L tape: Repel

U tape near L tape: Attract

Experiment
 Prepare two identical sets of U and L tapes.
 After you make the first set of U and
L tapes, hold each tape by both Clamp
handles near the charging plate of
the electroscope to verify that the Cross
tape is charged. Bar
 Affix the first set of U and L tapes to Ring
the cross bar attached to a ring stand Stand
so each can swing like a pendulum.
  After you make the second set of U and L tapes, hold each tape by its
two handles near the charging plate of the electroscope to verify that
the tape is charged.
 Then, one member of your group should hold this U tape firmly by the
two handles and bring it near each of the two hanging tapes. Note
what happens when you bring the U tape near each.
 Finally, another member of your group should hold the second L tape
firmly by the two handles and bring it near each of the two hanging
tapes and note what happens.

Observation In the space below, record your observation of how the pieces of tape
interacted (attract, repel, or neither) when you brought them near one
another:

U tape near U tape: Repel

L tape near L tape: Repel

U tape near L tape: Attract

Question 1.1 Did your observations recorded above match your predicted behavior in
prediction Prediction 1.1? If so, explain what was correct about your
reasoning used in your prediction. If not, explain what was incorrect
about your reasoning in your prediction and state the correction that
explains what you observed.

The prediction agrees with the results. The upper and lower tapes are
oppositely charged so they attract eachother.
Prediction 1.2 Predict how the U and L tapes will interact (attract, repel, or neither) when
you bring a neutral object near them. Explain your reasoning.
Neutral object near U tape: Attracts

Neutral object near L tape: Attracts

 Create a set of U and L tapes.

 Verify that each strip of tape is charged using the electroscope.
 Hang each tape vertically from the cross bar of a ring stand.
 Bring an uncharged object (check it with the electroscope) such as
a pencil or your hand near each of the strips of tape (but do not let it
touch the tapes).
Observation Record how the U and L tape interacted (attracted, repelled, or neither)
when you brought the neutral object near each.

Neutral object near U tape: Attracts

Neutral object near L tape: Attracts

Question 1.2 Did your observations recorded above match your predicted behavior in
Prediction 1.2? If so, explain what was correct about your reasoning used
in your prediction. If not, explain what was incorrect about your
reasoning in your prediction and state the correction that explains what
you observed.

Yes the predictions agree with the results.

When a charged body is brought near an uncharged body, an
opposite charge is developed on the uncharged body near the charged
body. This is called induction.
 Question 1.3 Reflecting on all of the observations you have made, write a summary
statement that describes how objects with charge interact. Your statement
should encompass all of the observations you have made regarding the
interaction of objects that are both charged and uncharged.

Like charges repel each other; unlike charges attract. When a charged body

is brought near an uncharged body, an opposite charge is developed on
the uncharged body near the charged body. This is called induction.

Activity 2 Distance dependence of interactions between charged strips of tape

 Create two new sets of U and L tapes.
 Affix one set of U and L tapes so that they hang vertically from the
cross bar of a ring stand.
 Hold the remaining U tape firmly by its two handles and start with it
far away from the hanging U tape.
 Slowly bring it closer to the hanging U tape, but do not let the tapes
touch. Note what happens to the strength of the interaction as the
distance between the pieces of tape changes.
 Then, hold the U tape far from the hanging L tape and slowly bring it
closer to the L tape. Note what happens to the strength of the
interaction (again, do not let the tapes touch).

Question 2.1 What did you observe about the strength of the electrostatic interaction
between the charged tapes as the distance between the tapes decreased?
Did the types of tape (charges) involved matter?

As the distance is decrease the force of attraction between oppositely

charged objects increases. Also greater the charges more will be the
force.
Question 2.2 Can you think of a force that you studied in mechanics that had a similar
distance dependence as you have noticed between the tapes? If so, which
force?

Gravitational force between two masses is similar to the force we just

studied. It depends upon the masses and separation.

Make sure to remove ALL used tape stuck to the tabletop and ring stand!!