5A40.30 - Electrostatic 2x4

Code Number:
5A40.30
Demo Title:
Electrostatic 2x4
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Electrostatic Repulsion and Attraction, Induction
Area of Study:
Electricity & Magnetism
Equipment:
2 X 4 Board, Watch Glass Pivot on Stand, Electrostatic Rods, Cat's Fur and Silk, Meter Sticks, and Aluminum Meter Stick.
Procedure:

Hold a charged rod near the end of the 2 X 4 and observe the board move slowly toward the rod. Both the plus charged and minus charged rods will show this behavior. The Fun Fly Stick may be substituted for the charged rod when working in a humid environment.

The wooden and aluminum meter sticks work exactly as the 2 X 4 described above even though one is an insulator and one is a conductor.

References:
  • Cristos Deligkaris, "A Classroom Activity for Teaching Electric Polarization of Insulators and Conductors", TPT, Vol. 56, #4, Apr. 2018, p. 236.
  • Sheldon Wortzman, "A Large-Scale Electroscope", TPT, Vol. 19, #7, Oct. 1991, p. 481.
  • R. A. Egler, "Simple Conservation of Energy Experiment for Introductory Labs", Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, page 8.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Moving Mountains", A Demo a Day, p. 245.
  • The Science House, "An Electrostatic Compass", Physics From the Junk Drawer, p. 31.
  • Stangl, "34 Electrostatic Action", Science Toolbox, p. 84.
  • Tik L. Liem, "The Electric Meter Stick", Invitations to Science Inquiry - Supplement to 1st and 2nd Ed. p. 85.
  • Rudolf F. Graf, "The Magic Finger", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 29.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, “The Magic Wand“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 275.










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.