LAB REPORT

EXPERIMENT NO #1
ELECTROSTATIC OR STATIC ELECTRICITY
MA’AM SHAMAILA FATIMA
ARHAM AKHTAR 231152
21-09-2023
28-09-2023
Observations:
The objective of this practical is to observe the principle of electrostatics like attraction or
repulsion of charged objects. But in this experiment we mainly seen attraction of the charged
object, and discharging of that object and from that we have find the amount of charge.

Apparatus:
Apparatus that are used in this experiment are:

 Paper
 Scale
 Comb/Plastic scale
 Fur/hair
 Weighing machine

Theoretical Explanation:
This experiment is mainly based on the principle of electrostatics, the charging and discharging of
object and the attraction and repulsion between those charged particles. This principle states that
like charged particles attract each other whereas unlike charged particle repel each other.

The formula used is

q=
√ mgr 2
k
……….(1)

Explanation of procedure:
1. Take a paper and fold it several times.
2. Weight that paper on a weighing scale.
3. Unfold the paper and count the no of boxes formed in it.
4. Take one box out of it and divide the total weight of paper by no of boxes.
5. Repeat the process until the pieces of paper become small enough to get attracted to scale.
6. Now take the plastic scale, pen or comb.
7. Rub it on hair or fur.
8. Then bring it closer to pieces of paper.
9. Note the distance between the paper and scale when it attracts.
10. Find the charge value “q” by using formula (1).

Observations and Calculations:

By following the above procedure on different pieces of papers we got this data:
Mass of whole paper =1.56g

Mass of 1/1024=1.52x10-3g

Mass in kg=1.52x10-6kg

Distance 1 = 0.75cm = 0.0075m

Distance 2 = 0.5cm = 0.005m

Distance 3 = 0.25cm = 0.0025m

Distance 4 = 0.85cm =0.0085m

No of Mass of K Gravity Distance of Total charge

observations paper attraction of q
paper
- g Nm2/C2 m/s2 m C
1 1.52x10-6 9x109 9.8 0.0075 3.2739x10-10
2 1.52x10-6 9x109 9.8 0.005 2.1826x10-10
3 1.52x10-6 9x109 9.8 0.0025 1.0913x10-10
4 1.52x10-6 9x109 9.8 0.085 3.71041x10-9

Result and Analysis:

1. When a non-conductive object, in this case scale, is rubbed against hair or fur, it acquires a
static electric charge.
2. This charged object can attract lightweight objects like pieces of paper due to electrostatic
forces.
3. Some of the pieces of paper repel each other, demonstrating the principle of like charges
repelling.
4. The formula used is derived by these steps:

F=mg
q1 q 2
F=k 2 ‫ ׯ‬q 1=¿q ¿
r
2

2
kq
mg= 2
r

q=
√ mgr 2
k
……….(1)

Precautions:
 Avoid this experiment where there is explosive or flameable material because charging and
discharging may produce spark causing explosion or fire.
 Make sure this is a fire extinguisher.
 Wear non conductive gloves for better results.