College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
5A10.19 - Electrostatics - Fluorescent Light & Cat's Fur
Rub the Fluorescent light with the cats fur in a darkened room. The light should appear to flash momentarily as it is being rubbed. Balloons or Saran Wrap can be substituted for the cats fur.
- J. David Gavenda, "More Light on Fluorescent Tubes", TPT, Vol. 36, # 6, p. 325, Sept. 1998.
- Michael H. Brown, "In a Dark Room, Let There Be Light!", TPT, Vol. 36, # 5, p. 296, May 1998.
- Philip E. Highsmith, "Static Electricity Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 6, # 8, Nov. 1968, p. 427.
- Martin Gardner, "The Human Battery", Science Tricks, p. 57
- Brown, "Light by Friction", 200 Illustrated Science Experiments for Children, p. 121.
- Janice VanCleave, "Fly Away" and "Glow", 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible Experiments, p. 108.
- Janice VanCleave, "Glow", Physics for Every Kid, p. 9.
- Joey Green, "Human Lightbulb", The Mad Scientist Handbook, Vol. 1, p. 47.
- Rudolf F. Graf, "Charge Yourself", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 3.
- Rudolf F. Graf, "Rub for Your Light", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 35.
Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.