Investigating Electrostatics through different Charging Processes

Neil Joshua O. Capillan1, William G. Entila2, Karlo Donelle Gonzales2, Harvey Enrique E. Ignacio2, Sean Lester
N. Ponferrada1, Bryan Eric V. Saban2 and Jonathan A. Wing2
Department of Electrical Engineering- CEAT, UP Los Baños
Department of Civil Engineering- CEAT, UP Los Baños
Corresponding Author: wgentila@up.edu.ph

Abstract
This experiment aimed to determine the electrostatic phenomenon between two bodies
through different charging processes such as friction, conduction and induction. This
consisted of five parts which entailed charging of different materials. Observations were
then recorded. The results showed that net charges could be acquired through different
charging processes. Moreover, the acquisition of net charge of a certain material depends
on its electron affinity, whether it is more likely to be a positive or negative. This can be
referred in triboelectric series. Furthermore, charged system may attract or repel
depending on the nature of its charges.

Keywords: Electrostatic phenomenon, charging process, net charge, triboelectric series

1. Introduction
The world today is driven by electricity. Advanced technologies such as smartphones, electric motors, touch screen
televisions, high energy- accelerators, etc. need to consume this in order to work. However, its scope doesn’t only
limit on seeable things. It is also in the intermolecular and interatomic forces responsible for the formation of solids
and liquids which are originally electric [1]. Hence, almost all the things in this world, from the tiniest atom to the
largest technology, is governed with electric mechanisms rooted from the concept of electrostatics.
Electrostatics is the interaction of electric charges that are at rest [2]. Experiments like rubbing two objects e.g. a
plastic rod and fur, balloon and hair, etc. have shown that there are two kinds of electric charge: electron and proton
[2]. These charges, when brought together, create an attractive or repulsive force. Commonly, it is known as the
Coulomb's force or electrostatic force. The magnitude F of the electrostatic force exerted by one point charge q1 on
another point charge q2 is directly proportional to the magnitudes Iq1I and Iq2I of the charges and inversely proportional
to the square of the distance r between them,
1 |𝑞 𝑞 |
𝐹 = 4𝜋𝜖 1𝑟2 2 , (1)
where is the electric constant that has a value of approximately 9.0 x 109 N m2 /C2 [3].
In this experiment, the experimenters are tasked to determine the net charge of an electrically neutral body using
different charging processes. Aside from that, they must qualitatively describe the forces between charged systems
and lastly, to demonstrate electrostatic phenomenon using electroscope and Van de Graaff generator.

2. Methodology
The experiment is divided into five parts which uses the following materials for experimentation: plastic sheets,
tissue paper, metal rod, plastic rod, electroscope and the Van de Graaff generator.
The first part used metal rod, plastic rod and bits of tissue paper. Tissue paper bits were placed on the table. A
piece of tissue paper was rubbed against a plastic rod and then placed near the tissue bits. Same procedure was done
with the metal rod. The outcomes of each of them were recorded.
The second part used two plastic sheets. The two plastic sheets were faced with each other. Next, each of the plastic
sheet was rubbed with a tissue paper and were faced with each other again. The outcomes to each process were
recorded.
The third part utilized a plastic sheet and tissue paper bits. The tissue paper bits were placed on the table and a
plastic sheet was put above without touching them. Then, a tissue paper was rubbed against a plastic sheet and was
put above the bits. Lastly, the rubbing was repeated but this time, the plastic sheet was touched before putting above
the tissue bits. The outcomes were recorded.
 The fourth part utilized a plastic sheet and an electroscope. First, the plastic sheet was put close to the metal handle
of the electroscope. Next, the plastic was rubbed by a tissue paper and was put near the metal handle. The first one
was repeated but this time, the plastic sheet was made in contact with the metal handle. Lastly, a person touched the
rubbed plastic sheet and then was placed again near the metal handle of electroscope. Observations were then recorded
every after a process.
The fifth part used strands of tissue paper and a Van de Graaff generator. The generator was turned on, making
sure that the metal ball is not in contact with the spherical dome of the generator. The outcomes were recorded.

3. Results and Discussion

Table 3.1. Observations on Part A: Rubbing Rods

Observation

Rubbed plastic rod near the tissue bits The rubbed plastic rod attracted the tissue bit
Rubbed metal rod near the tissue bits after Nothing happened when the metal rod was placed near the
touching the plastic sheet tissue bits.

Table 3.1 shows the observations that has been gathered by the experimenter in part A of the exercise which is
looking into the effects of placing near a rubbed plastic rod and metal rod to tissue bits. In the case of the rubbed
plastic rod. it attracted the tissue bits. Due to friction, a transfer of electrons between rubbed materials takes place [3].
Because tissue paper has lesser electron affinity than plastic rod, it would more likely transfer electrons. Thus,
producing a net negative charge to the rod. This is based on the list of electrostatic or triboelectric series [4]. Since the
tissue bits were initially neutral, the positive charges in it got easily excited after the nearing of the negatively charged
plastic rod, resulting on the tissue bits to jump and attract to it.
On the other hand, nothing happened to the tissue bits when the rubbed metal rod was placed near it. Since the
metal rod is a conductor, the electrons in it flow easily [1] through any conducting body, in this case, the
experimenter’s hand. Electrons in metals are highly delocalized [5]. Meaning, after the metal rod was rubbed, it
allowed them to jump out and escape the metal due to the energy (heat) they obtained caused by friction.

Table 3.2. Observations on Part B: Plastic Sheets

Observation
Plastic Sheets close and facing each other Nothing happened to the plastic sheets.
Rubbed plastic sheets near close and facing each
The rubbed plastic sheets repelled each other.
other

Table 3.2 exhibits the observations of the experimenter in part B of the exercise about the effects of friction
between plastic sheets. The two plastic sheets were placed close to each other. As expected, the two plastic sheets
remained at rest and nothing happened to these because these were still neutral. But, when each of the plastic sheets
were charged by friction (rubbing) using a tissue paper, the plastic sheet acquired a net charge. Based on the
triboelectric series, the plastic sheet would likely have a net negative charge [4]. After, the surfaces of the rubbed
plastic sheets were faced to each other causing them to repel. It is because of the nature of electric charges that like
charges, in this case, negative charges, repel [1-3]. In addition, after touching the rubbed surface of the plastic sheet,
the electrons were transferred to the experimenter’s hand and distributed to the earth. With this, plastic sheet acquired
a net positive charge.

Table 3.3. Observations on Part C: Plastic sheet and Tissue Bits

Observation
Plastic Sheet on top of bits Nothing happened to the bits.
Rubbed plastic sheet on top of bits The tissue bits got attracted to the rubbed plastic sheet.
 The tissue bits moved away from the sheet when it was
Touched plastic sheet on top of bits
touched.

Table 3.3 shows the experimenter’s observation in part C of the exercise about the effects rubbing and touching
the plastic sheet. At first, the plastic sheet and tissue bits both didn’t have a net charge. So, when the plastic sheet was
brought near to the tissue bits, no interactions happened. Next, the plastic sheet was rubbed using the tissue paper. The
tissue paper gives electrons to the plastic sheet causing the plastic sheet to be negatively charged. When the plastic
sheet was placed at the top of the tissue bits, it left a net positive charge on the parts of the tissue bits nearest to the
plastic sheet, causing these tissue bits to jump off and attract on the negatively charged sheet.
On the other case, the rubbed plastic sheet was touched before it was placed closer to the top of the tissue bits. The
electrons were transferred to the hands from the rubbed plastic sheet causing the plastic sheet to have a net positive
charge. As a result, the positively charged plastic sheet caused the positively charged tissue bits to move away or repel
due to the repulsive electrostatic force between like charges [1-3].

Table 3.4. Observations on Part D: Electroscope

Plastic Sheet near the metal knob
Rubbed plastic sheet near the metal knob
Removed rubbed plastic sheet away the metal knob
Rubbed plastic sheet touching the metal knob
Touched rubbed plastic sheet near the metal knob.
Observation
Nothing happened to the foils.
The foils moved away to each other and is deflected.
The foils went back to its hanging position, or it relaxed.
The deflection is greater
The deflection is less.

Observations about the electrostatic phenomenon using electroscope is shown in Table 3.4. A neutrally charged
plastic sheet was placed near the neutrally charged metal knob of the electroscope. As expected, nothing happened to
the foils inside the electroscope. When the plastic sheet, however, was rubbed with a tissue paper and induced near
the electroscope, the foils deflected or moved away from each other and tended to relax when the rubbed plastic sheet
was brought away. Triboelectric series approves that the plastic sheet acquired a net negative charge [4]. On that basis,
it attracted the positive charges from the electroscope leaving the same charges as that of the plastic sheet down to the
foils. Since the foils have an accumulation of negative charges, they repelled to each other because of the strong
electrostatic force present [2]. Nevertheless, the net charge of the electroscope was yet indeterminate because
induction of charge was only done.
Moreover, another plastic sheet was rubbed and at this time, it was brought in contact with the metal knob. The
foils were deflected and became permanently deflected when the plastic sheet was removed. The metal knob is a
conductor allowing the negative charges from the plastic sheet to flow through it [1]. Due to the transfer of electrons,
the electroscope now acquired a net negative charge that is evenly distributed in it. This resulted to the permanent
deflection of the foils because again, a strong electrostatic force caused them to be in that situation [2].
Another observation was established when the rubbed plastic sheet was touched with the hand. As it was brought
near the metal knob, the foils tended to relax from being initially deflected. Since the experimenter is standing in the
ground, the electrons in the plastic sheet could flow from the hand down to the earth. With this, a net positive charge
in the plastic sheet was obtained. Since the electroscope and the plastic sheet have opposite net charges, the electrons
in the foils went up and tended to attract the positive charges in the plastic sheet, which caused a weakening of the
electrostatic force in the foils. By that, it relaxed.

Table 3.5. Observations on Part E: Van De Graff Generator

Observation
Rubbed plastic rod near the tissue bits The rubbed plastic rod attracted the tissue bit

Rubbed metal rod near the tissue bits after touching Nothing happened when the metal rod was placed near the
the plastic sheet tissue bits.
Table 3.5 exhibits the observations on the demonstration of electrostatic phenomenon using Van de Graff Generator.
This device separates electric charges. When the motor is on, the belt rubs the plastic pulley giving it a negative
charge. As this continues, the negative charges accumulate in the pulley and induce positive charges in the sharply
pointed metal comb at the bottom. The electric field between the pulley and the comb increases making the air ionized.
The positive charges are then repelled from the brush and carried up into the hollow sphere and the electrons are
drawn to the earth. Since electric field is negligible inside and by Gauss’s law, no charge can build up inside the dome,
so the charges simultaneously push each other until these reach an electrostatic equilibrium which kept them on the
surface of the dome. On that mechanism, the generator acquires a net positive charge [1,2]
An experimental set up was made where strands of tissue pompom were placed above the generator. When it was
turned on, the strands of the tissue pompom started to rise until such instant that these pointed outward in a radial
manner. Due to the continuous build-up of positive electric charge in the generator [1], the pompom strands were
influenced with same charge as the generator. This caused a strong repulsive electrostatic force between these positive
charges, tending the strands to get as far away from another strand as possible [1-3]. Also, when the experimenter
brought near his finger to the strands, it seemed to follow it. Negative charges in the experimenter's body is prohibited
to flow due to the insulator he has been standing on. By this, an electrostatic force between the negative charges in the
experimenter and positive charges in the pompom strands caused them to attract.

4. Conclusion and Recommendation

Charges are invisible to the naked eyes, but their effects and interactions are sensible and considered fundamental
in electromagnetism. After series of experiments demonstrating electrostatic phenomenon, three major findings were
obtained by the experimenters. First, net charges can be determined through different charging process such as friction,
induction and conduction [1-3]. Charging through friction produces net charge by the transfer of electrons between
insulators. Moreover, induction creates net charge which doesn’t require contact with the object inducing the charge.
Charging through conduction is the opposite as it requires contact between two materials specifically, conductors, to
permit flow of electrons. Second, electrostatics can create to types of interaction between charges: attraction and
repulsion [1-3]. Opposite net charges (positive and negative) tend to attract each other due to a strong attractive
electrostatic force between them. On the other hand, a strong repulsive electrostatic force causes the same net charges
(either both positive or negative) to repel each other. This approves the fundamental law of electrostatics that “like
charges repel, unlike charges attract” which is well-demonstrated using electroscope and Van de Graff generator.
Third, the acquisition of net charges on materials depend on their property called electron affinity. It can be referred
to the list of triboelectric series where materials are ordered in increasing electron affinity [4]. From the two charged
materials, the one having less electron affinity is expected to have a net positive charge. Otherwise, it is expected to
have a net negative charge. Furthermore, the objectives of this exercise were accomplished, and the observations made
were consistent to existing concepts and principles.
The experimenters recommend having consistency in the intensity of rubbing the materials e.g. plastic sheets,
metal and plastic rod with tissue paper as it may yield to different set of observations if not. For example, observations
on a plastic sheet lightly rubbed may vary to a that of the sheet intensively rubbed. Also, they recommend conducting
the experiment in a stable environment because the lightness of materials like tissue bits is susceptible in small
movements of air. Additionally, safety procedures and laboratory guidelines must be observed, especially when
conducting an experiment on the Van de Graaff generator. It is advisable to step on the insulated mat to prevent
discharging and yielding of different result. Lastly, have the courage and trust in thyself in operating the generator.

5. References
1. R. Serway, J. Jewett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics 9 th Edition, Cengage Learning,
USA, 2008
2. H. Young, R. Freedman, University Physics with Modern Physics 14 th Edition, Pearson, USA, 2014
3. J. Cutnell, K. Johnson, Physics 9th Edition, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., USA, 2007
4. Lee, B. W., & Orr, D. E. (2018). AlphaLab Inc. Retrieved from Google Chrome:
https://www/alphalabinc.com/triboelectric-series 5.
5. Hock, K. (2012). Electrons in metals. Liverpool.