ELECTROSCOPE

Materials:

Clear glass jar Glue gun

Jar lid Aluminum Foil
Electrical tape Hammer
Copper wire Ruler
Straw Comb
Pliers Acetate
Scissors Balloon
Procedures:

1. Gather your materials.

2. Cut the copper wire to 10 inches (25.4 cm) and the plastic straw to 2 inches (5.1 cm).
3. Punch a hole in the lid of the jar.
4. Secure the straw to the lid with hot glue.
5. Twist the top 4 inches (10.2 cm) of the copper wire into a spiral.
6. Insert the copper into the straw and make a hook 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.
7. Cut two triangle shapes out of aluminum foil.
8. Hang the triangles on the copper hook and screw the lid onto the jar.
9. Test the electroscope.

Uses/Application:

Rub a balloon on your hair to charge it with static electricity. Bring the balloon close to the
copper spiral and watch the foil pieces push each other apart. The electrons transfer down the copper
wire and into the foil. Because both pieces of foil become negatively charged, they repel each other.

Charging by contact. Rub an insulator to charge it up. Then stroke it across the top plate of the
electroscope. This will transfer charge from the insulator to the electroscope.

Charging by induction. This is a quick way to get a larger charge onto the electroscope. However,
it can look a bit magical to students. So it should be used with some care.

Rub an insulator to charge it up. Bring it close to the top plate of the electroscope but dont let
it touch. This will induce the opposite charge on the plate of electroscope leaving a net charge on the
gold leaf - which will rise.

Study Committee

Alejo, Alvin
Barrameda, John Mark
Carreon, Diego
Valle, John David
Cabanilla, Jersey Kaye
Espiritu, Janadyn
Magno, Chloe