5B10.31 - Volta's Hailstorm - Jumping Particles

Code Number:
5B10.31
Demo Title:
Volta's Hailstorm - Jumping Particles
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Electrostatics
Area of Study:
Electricity & Magnetism

Disclaimer

Equipment:
Volta's Hailstorm, Static Sticks (Large and Small), Van de Graaff Generator or Whimshurst Generator.
Procedure:

Volta's Hailstorm - Put pith balls, vermiculite, or aluminum foil into the cylinder. As this is brought near a Van de Graaff generator the particles will bounce rapidly up and down.  This is due to the fact that the particles are attracted towards one plate until they touch it and gain the same charge as the plate.  At that time they are repelled by that plate and attracted to the other plate until they touch that plate and the cycle repeats.

The static sticks (large and small), are both used in the same manner.  Charge the plastic tube by rubbing with cat's fur or a paper towel and the particles inside will stick to the walls of the tube.  Touching your finger to the plastic tube will cause the particles inside to move in an interesting fashion.

References:
  • Dan MacIsaac, "How Spiders Fly: Ballooning Spiders Use E Field for Lift", TPT, Vol. 56, #6, Sept. 2018, p. 414.
  • Dave Van Domelen, "A Pocket Electrostatics Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 41, #5, May 2003, p. 306.
  • Steve Dail, "Floating Styrofoam Spheres", TPT, Vol. 39, #7, Oct. 2001, p. 402.
  • R. D. Edge, "Bags, Balloons, and Such", TPT, Vol. 30, #6, Sept. 1992, p. 379.
  • D. S. Ainslie, "Construction and Uses of Equipment for Demonstrating the Fundamental Principles of Electrostatics", TPT, Vol. 2, #1, Jan. 1964, p. 32.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., and Vacek Miglus, "Volta's Hailstorm", AJP, Vol. 80, #11, Nov. 2012, p. 954.
  • Freier and Anderson, "Eb-12", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • Tik Liem, "The Paper Jumping Jacks", Investigation to Science Inquiry, p. 237.
  • George M. Hopkins, "Frictional Electricity", Experimental Science, p. 389.
  • George M. Hopkins, "Frictional Electricity", Experimental Science, p. 363.
  • Carson I. A. Ritchie, "Jumping or Swinging Pith Balls", Making Scientific Toys, p. 145.
  • Jodi and Roy McCullough, "Static Electricity with a Staticstick", The Role of Toys in Teaching Physics, p. 4.180.
  • Charles Vivian, "Make Paper and Cork Dance Under Glass", Science Experiments & Amusements For Children, p. 7.
  • Jearl Walker, "5.30, Lightning-Like Discharges Above a Volcano", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 228.
  • Jearl Walker, "5.20, Earthquake Lights", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 228.
  • Brian Holton, "A Learning Center Electric Field Demonstration", PIRA Newsletter, Vol. 7, #5, July 1993, p. 2.
  • Stangl, "35, Dancing Snow", Science Toolbox.
  • "Electrical Fleas", Science Snackbook, p. 46.1 - 46.2.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Paper Hop", 200 Gooey, Slippery, Slimy, Weird, & Fun Experiments, p. 46.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Tinkle", 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible Experiments, p. 109.
  • Raymond Bruman, "Pluses and Minuses", Exploratorium Cookbook I, p. 78.1 - 78.4.
  • Ron Hipschman, "Electric Fleas", Exploratorium Cookbook III, p. 141.1 - 141.2.
  • Rudolf F. Graf, "Electrostatic "Jumping Beans"", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 30.
  • Joseph Frick, "# 257 - Experiments with the Electrical Machine - The Electrical Dance", Physical Technics: Or Practical Instructions for Making Experiments in Physics and the Construction of Physical Apparatus with the Most Limmited Means, p. 279.
  • "Cylinder for Dancing Pith Balls", Pike's Illustrated Catalogue of Scientific & Medical Instruments, 1984, p. 277.

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.