Watch the
Flash movie and then write your answers, questions and thoughts in your
science journal.
In the following lab you will examine electrophorus charges. While you
complete this lab, jot down your observations because you need to try
and describe what you saw and prepare a diagram of the occurrence.
Make sure
you read and then write out the lab before you begin. Remember to follow
the safety precautions of working in the lab and have all of your materials
prepared before you begin!
Electricity
Lab #1: Electrophorus
Charge!
Problem:
What occurs when you rub a styrofoam plate with a wool cloth? Explain.
Hypothesis:
Materials:
styrofoam
plate and cup
wool
cloth
Procedure:
Rub
the Styrofoam plate with the wool cloth. If this is the first
time you are using the Styrofoam in an electrostatic experiment,
rub it for a full minute.
To
charge the pie pan follow the next steps exactly:
Place
the pie pan on top of the charged Styrofoam plate.
Briefly
touch the pie pan with your finger. You may hear a snap
and feel a shock.
Remove
the pie pan using only the insulating Styrofoam cup. You
may have to hold the Styrofoam plate down with your other
hand.
The
pan is now charged.
Discharge
the pan by touching it with your finger.
Observations:
Describe
what you saw when you discharged the pan.
Conclusion:
Answer
the problem: What occurs when you rub a styrofoam plate with a wool
cloth? Remember to explain your answer.
To
understand what static electricity is, we have to learn a little
bit about the nature of matter. In other words, what makes up all
of the stuff around us?
Investigate the following question: What is an atom?
Research the question and find information based on the following criteria:
Definition
of an atom
The characteristics
of an atom
The structure
and parts of an atom
Examples
of atoms in our world
What do
atoms have to do with static electricity?
Once you
have completed the research, use the information to create a model of
an atom. You can use anything you like to create your model. You are only
limited by your imagination! Please remember to label the various parts
of your atom and have a chart that indicates the characteristics of an
atom and a few examples of atoms in our world. A sample evaluation sheet
has been provided for guidance while completing this assignment.
ZAP IT!
Go to a room in the school that is carpeted...the library maybe? Drag
your feet and ZAP everyone! What is happening? When is this occurrence
more noticeable?
Your
teacher will print off the 4 station instructions and place them around
the room with all of the materials required. You will be divided into
groups and receive a data collection sheet. You will have approximately
three minutes per station. When your teacher turns the lights on and off,
you should quickly move to the next station. DO NOT MOVE BEFORE THIS TIME!
Once you have completed all of the stations, return to your tables or
desks and double check your responses. It might be a good idea to recopy
your initial observations prior to submitting it for evaluation.
SAFETY NOTE:
Please read all instructions completely before starting. Observe all safety
precautions.
Tip: Try
to use the part of the charged object that has the biggest charge (the
part that was rubbed the most) when doing these experiments. Also, Stations
1-3 work best on dry days!
has been provided for guidance while completing this assignment.