Electrostatics experiments

Light objets attraction Hanging balloon Trickle of water Electroscope and versorium Charging and discharging by contact Charging by induction Points power Two sorts of electric charges (a) Two sorts of electric charges (b) Conduction Sign of Charges Electrostatic chime Electrophorus Faraday Cage
French page

by Michel Maussion - University of Nantes - France

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Attraction and repulsion of light objets




Attraction




attraction

   

Rub a straw with a paper handkerchief.

Draw it near small bits of papier or aluminium foil laying on an insulating table. They are attracted by the straw and cling to it.

See video Avi (DivX Codec) 548 ko or 114 ko .


attraction

   

By abrasion from a cube-shaped piece of polystyrene of about 1 cm side make a sphere.

Hang it to a support by a thin nylon yarn.

Draw an electrised straw near it : the ball is attracted and can even be lifted up.

See video Avi (DivX Codec) 358 ko or 75 ko .

Making a support as beside.


attraction

   

It is possible to turn the leaves of a book with a straw well electrised.

See video Avi (DivX Codec) 873 ko or 94 ko.



Repulsion




See again the first video of this page. You will observe the repulsion
of three small bits of aluminium that had been charged formerly.

See a fragment in slow motion Avi (DivX Codec) 244 ko or 46 ko.

     

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