5A40.20 - Electrostatics - Cans & Charged Rods | Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

Code Number:

5A40.20

Demo Title:

Electrostatics - Cans & Charged Rods

Condition:

Good

Principle:

Electrostatics

Area of Study:

Electricity & Magnetism

Disclaimer

Equipment:

Plexiglas or PVC Rods, Cats Fur, Silk, 2 Liter Plastic Bottles, and Pop Cans with no Dents.

Procedure:

Charge the PVC rod with the cats fur and bring near the pop can or the plastic bottle. The pop can should be attracted to the rod and then repelled after it touches the rod. The pop can will roll across the table by attracting or chasing it with a charged rod.

References:

Paul Hewitt, "Figuring Physics: How Can Can Roll?", TPT, Vol. 50, #3, Mar. 2012, p. 134.
Gordon R. Gore, "The Mysterious Rolling Pop Can", TPT, Vol. 41, #9, Dec. 2003, p. 548.
Michael H. Brown, "Fun With Charged Bottles", TPT, Vol. 34, #7, Oct. 1996, p. 409.
"E- 085. Attract 2X4 with Rod-Roll Can", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook, 1993.
Janice VanCleave, "Puller", 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible Experiments, p. 107.
Robert Ehrlich, "L.6. Charge-Propelled Aluminum Can", Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations, p. 149.
Grant Mellor, "Imbalancing Act", Flying Tinsel, 1993, p. 28 - 32.
Bobby Mercer, "Roll With It Can", Junk Drawer Physics, p. 133.
Rudolf F. Graf, "The Obedient Ping Pong Ball", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 8.

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