Electrostatics: The Shocking Truth
In today’s lesson, students learned the fundamentals of static electricity and its role in everyday life. Remember that static electricity is caused by the build-up of unbalanced charges (lightning, socks tumbling in the hot dryer, shuffling across carpets in wool socks in winter) that release a spark when they return to a neutral or ground state.
We then explored static up-close using “charged” balloons and homemade electroscopes. We used felt cloth and balloons to play with static electricity and explain its properties. We also demonstrated a Wimshurst machine for the students and with the lights off it really “sparked” their interest.
Additional Information:
What exactly is a Wimshurt machine? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimshurst_machine
For more information on lightning research and safety information, check out NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory:
Leave a Reply