Electrostatics Kit
(Order Code ESK-CRG)
The Electrostatics Kit is an accessory
for the Vernier Charge Sensor. This kit allows students to perform a range of experiments in electrostatics. Experiments include
Using Faraday’s Ice Pail
Production of charge by friction
Transfer of charge by contact
Charging by Induction
Quantitative and qualitative measurement of charge
What is Included with the Electrostatics Kit?
Faraday Pail (aluminum can) |
Ground Plane (flat metal sheet) |
Cage (metal wire cage) |
Grounding Wrist Strap |
(2) Grounding Wires |
Square of wool (fabric) |
(2) Charge Separators |
Square of vinyl (plastic pad) |
Proof Plane |
PVC rod (gray) |
Cotton cloth |
Nylon rod (white) |
A Closer Look at the Components
The Cage is the cylindrical metal mesh, and it sits on a plastic plate. During experiments you will want to use a Grounding Wire to ground the Cage to the Ground Plane.
The Faraday Pail sits inside the Cage but on the plastic plate. The charge on an object can be measured when the object is placed inside the Pail, assuming that the Charge Sensor is connected to the pail. You can also measure charge by transferring it to the Pail through contact.
Charger Separators and Proof Plane
Another set of key components are the Charge Separators and Proof Plane. These three objects have acrylic handles. The Proof Plane has a metal conducting disk that is used to test the charge on an object. The two Charge Separators are different materials. The gray material is PVC and the white one is nylon. When rubbed together, the gray PVC develops a negative charge while the white Nylon develops a positive charge. A small cotton cloth is included with this kit. The cloth is used to remove excess charge on the Charge Separators. Dampen the cloth with water and touch all the surfaces of the Charge Separators to the cloth.
Faraday Pail, Cage, and Ground Plane
The key part to this kit is the Faraday Pail, Cage, and Ground Plane. The Faraday Pail is used in the measurement of electrostatic charge on objects. Charged objects placed inside the Pail induce equal magnitude but opposite charge on the inside of the can. This in turn produces a charge on the outside of the can which has the same sign as the object in the can. A Charge Sensor attached to the Pail allows you to determine the magnitude and sign of the charge on the object.
The Ground Plane is the sheet of metal that the equipment sits on. The Ground Plane is used to ground objects such as the Faraday Pail, the Cage or the experimenter.
Traditional Charger Separators
A set of traditional Charge Separators is also included. One set consists of a white nylon rod and a vinyl pad. When the nylon and vinyl are rubbed together, the nylon rod becomes positive and the vinyl becomes negative. The other set is a gray PVC rod and wool cloth. When the PVC and wool are rubbed together, the PVC develops a negative charge while the wool develops a positive charge.
NOTE: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not designed nor recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing process, or industrial testing of any kind.
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Performing Experiments with the Faraday Pail and the Vernier Charge Sensor
The key part to this kit is the Faraday Pail and Cage. When the Charge Sensor is attached to the Pail, the Pail can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively measure charge on objects. Follow these instructions to set up the equipment.
1.Place the plastic disk that holds the Faraday Pail and cage on the Ground Plane.
2.Place the Faraday Pail and the Cage on the disc.
3.Connect the black lead from the Charge Sensor to the Ground Plane.
4.Connect the red lead from the Charge Sensor to the Faraday Pail.
5.Connect the Charge Sensor to an interface, such as a LabQuest® 2, LabQuest, or LabPro®.
6.Connect a Grounding Wire between the Cage and the Ground Plane.
7.Ground the system and zero the sensor by pressing and holding the Reset button on the sensor.
8.Now insert an object into the center of the Faraday Pail. While the object is in the Pail, the Charge Sensor will display the charge.
Quantitative measurement of electrostatic charge can be challenging. Many factors enter into the buildup of electrostatic charge and your ability to measure the charge. The Charge Sensor is a very sensitive device and it can detect charge on objects where you may not expect to see it, e.g., your body. Your success is also a function of atmospheric humidity. Electrostatic studies are difficult in humid environments because objects discharge quickly through multiple paths.
The Charge Sensor contains a range switch. You need to select a range that is appropriate for the experiment and environmental conditions. For example if you are measuring a small electrostatic charge, the smallest range setting on the sensor may be appropriate; however, if the sensor is reading its maximum value, you may want to switch to a higher range.
Note: As you collect data for different situations, you will need to zero the Charge Sensor since it is extremely easy to pick up stray charges. If the sensor reading appears to drift, simply press the Reset button on the sensor between data-collection runs. A good practice is to zero the Charge Sensor before each trial.
Sample Experiments
There are a variety of experiments that can be performed with this kit and a Charge Sensor. Below you will find three detailed examples. You might want to try
them out to learn more about the equipment. Those examples are followed with brief descriptions of other experiments.
Learning to use Faraday Pail and the Vernier Charge Sensor – How much electrical charge can your body carry?
The following experiment is a great introduction to this kit and the Vernier Charge Sensor. The activity demonstrates the sensitivity of the equipment. In the activity the user explores the charge that the body can carry and how to discharge the sensor and the body.
1.Attach the Charge Sensor black lead to the Ground Plane.
2.Attach the Charge Sensor red lead to the Faraday Pail.
3.Connect a Grounding Wire between the Cage and the Ground Plane.
4.Ground the system and discharge the sensor by pressing and holding the Reset button on the sensor.
5.Do not attach the grounding strap to your arm, because the purpose of this experiment is to show how your body can become charged.
6.Scuff your shoes on the floor. Insert a finger into the Faraday Pail without touching the Pail. What does it read? [The answers will vary but should be different from zero.]
7.Remove your finger. What does it read? [Close to zero.]
8.Explain your findings. [Scuffing the shoes built up a charge on the body. The Faraday Pail and Charge Sensor detected the charge. When the finger is in the Pail, the sensor detects a
charge. When the finger is removed, it detects no charge. The magnitude and sign of the charge will depend upon the composition of the flooring and shoes.]
9.Touch the Ground Plane with your finger.
10.Insert a finger into the Faraday Pail without touching the Pail. What does it read? [Should be close to zero]
11.Remove your finger. What does it read? [Should be close to zero]
12.Explain your observations. [Touching the Ground Plane removes the charge from the body. The charge on the body should be zero. The Charge Sensor reading should be close to zero regardless of whether the finger is in the Pail or not.]
13.If possible, scuff your shoes on a different type of flooring. Insert a finger into Pail. What does it read? [Answers will vary but should not be zero.]
14.Remove your finger. What does it read? [Close to zero]
15.Explain your findings. [Again a charge should be detected on the body. The magnitude and sign of the charge will depend upon the composition of the flooring and shoes.]
16.Insert your finger into the Pail. Touch the Pail and remove your finger. What does the sensor read? Explain findings. [Touching the Pail leaves a charge.]
17.Ground the Pail and zero the sensor by pressing and holding the Reset button on the sensor.
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