Physics 162 Lab

Section #1

Summer 2021

Electrostatics
LAB #1

Arman Botbay

Aruzhan Doszhanova

Didar Zhunisbek
Objectives:

● Identify two different types of charge

● Find out means by which different types of charge can be generated and detected
● Gain experience with materials, devices, and processes.

Experimental Data:

Table 1. Observations and their explanations

Observations Explanation

1 Needle of the electroscope swings more as As the rod approaches, it increases

the plastic rod approaches. polarization of the conductor. Higher
polarization results in a higher swing
because the electric force increases.

2 The needle of the electroscope moves and Electrons from the rod are completely
maintains its position after the plastic rod is transferred to the electroscope. As a result,
removed. the force created by a charged support
structure makes the needle swing.

3 The needle of the electroscope swings as
the glass rod approaches, but much weaker
than the movement by plastic rod.
This happens because the glass robe is a
weaker insulator than the plastic robe. So
when rubbed, glass gains less charge than
plastic. In consequence, glass creates a
weaker electric force than plastic and needle
swings to a lesser degree.

4 The needle of the electroscope has returned As the electrons transfer to the hand,
to the vertical position. grounding occurs.

5 The needle of the electroscope moves and Electrons from the rod are completely
maintains its position after the glass rod is transferred to the electroscope. As a result,
removed. the force created by a charged support
structure makes the needle swing.

Discussion

1. The process of conduction is illustrated when we touch the charge sampler with plastic
and glass rods. This is the case because both rods are positively charged insulators that
attract conducting electrons from the conductor. As a result of touching, the conductor is
left positively charged. In consequence, the needle swings because of the electric force
created by a positively charged conductor.
 2. The properties of insulators are illustrated when we rub the glass rod with the fur. During
that process, the glass rod becomes negatively charged and fur becomes positively
charged. The fur shares its electrons, however, the glass is not a good conductor like
plastic, so the position of the needle does not change as much as with the plastic pipe.
The glass rod receives a little amount of charge, and as a result, the position of the needle
experiences only a slight change.
3. The properties of conductors are illustrated when the rod touches the sample charger.
Conducting electrons from the conductor have moved freely to the insulator and the
needle has swang. This is a key feature of the conductors, that is, it gives away its
electrons very easily.
4. The human body is a good conductor. So regardless of the sign of the electroscope, the
human body is able to discharge it. When the electroscope is positively charged, it gains
electrons from the hand and its charge becomes neutralized, and vice versa, if it is
negatively charged, its extra electrons transfer to the human skin.
5. Based on our observations we can see that the law of charge conservation took place. To
be more specific, when we touched the sample charger with a plastic rod and then
removed it the needle did not change its position. This means that the excess of electrons
created by rubbing the plastic rod remained after bringing it into contact with the
electroscope. In other words, the net charge did not change even though electrons were
transferred from the electroscope to the plastic rod.

Conclusion

In conclusion, during this experiment we observed the behaviors of electric charges, and
also various methods of charging objects are considered. In order to do it, we used different types
of materials, which were both conductors and insulators. Using a variety of materials and
equipment, as well as learning the ways of how objects can be charged, the laboratory work
finished successfully as the main objectives were achieved. For further development of this
experiment we can try adding a 3rd rod made of metal, which can prove that only an insulator
can be used.