Introduction to Electric Charges using
Electroscope
Electrostatics (Charge Verification) – LAB REPORT 1
Introduction to Physics II
PHY 132
Professor Chukwuemeka Patrick Abbey
Professor Chukwudi Ugwumba
LAB 1
4th February, 2022.
STUDENT INFORMATION
NAME: Abdul-Qudus Jimoh
ID NUMBER: A00021513
GROUP MEMBERS
Anointing Izuchukwu
Samuel Onyebuchi
Isioma Enwerem
Clinton Chuks
Objectives
The main objectives of this experiment were to:
Determine the kind of charges that are produced by the provided
electrostatic materials through two methods of charging an object known as
induction and conduction.
And qualitatively study conducting materials, electric charges, and charge
transfer.
N.B: Coulomb’s Law states that the magnitude of the electrostatic force between
two charged particles is directly proportional to the product of the magnitude of the
charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Theory
During electrostatic induction, charges build up on an object due to the presence of
a charged object near it. The type of charge, that accumulates, positive or negative,
depends on where the material lies in the triboelectric series, which describes
which materials are likely to gain or lose electrons. Wool and glass tend to lose
electrons, meaning they become more positive, whereas plastic like to gain
electrons, meaning they become more negative.
When you rub the wool on the rod, the rod picks up electrons from the wool. Since
the objects are touching, it is conduction.
Apparatus
The following apparatus were needed for this experiment:
1. Electroscope: we used this to detect the charges.
2. Swivel stand (null): we used this to hold a bar magnet to demonstrate
repulsion and attraction.
3. Glass rod: one of the three equipment we used to test whether the charges
repel or attract.
4. Plastic rod: one of the three equipment we used to test whether the charges
repel or attract.
5. Lucite rod: one of the three equipment we used to test whether the charges
repel or attract.
6. Silk: we used this to rub the three rods each to test the charges.
7. Fur: we used this to rub the three rods each to test the charges.
8. Wool: we used this to rub the three rods each to test the charges.
Procedure
Induction method: Through the induction method, we charged the Lucite rod
by rubbing it with the provided silk material and we identified the charge on
it afterwards. By placing it on a stand and rubbing the glass and plastic rod
with silk, fur and wool, we identified the charges on them through attraction
or repulsion when we brought it near the reference rod, which in this case, is
the Lucite rod.
We charged the glass rod with silk and placed it on a sand to check the
charges on the Lucite rod after getting rubbed with silk, fur, and wool
provided.
Conduction method: We loaded the nob on the electroscope, then charged
each of the rods with the provided materials and brought it in contact with
the person observing the nob and the direction of the swinging arm of the
electroscope. We recorded our observations as attraction (A) or repulsion
(R) and identified the charge on each rod.
STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURES
1. We charged the glass rod by rubbing vigorously with fur material.
2. We brought the glass rod close to the top of the electroscope, in other for the
electroscope to deflect.
3. We observed the electroscope then removed the glass rod.
4. We recorded the results.
5. We repeated the same procedures for glass rob and silk and wool materials,
plastic rod and fur, silk and wool materials and Lucite rod with fur, silk and
wool materials.
BASIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INDUCTION AND CONDUCTION
Induction is when the neutral body is charged without any direct contact
between the neutral body and the charged body. The charge on each body and
the total charge will remain the same.
Conduction, on the other hand, allows the charging of a neutral body with a
charged body by direct contact. The charge on each body changes but the total
charge remains the same.
PRECAUTIONS
We avoided handling the glass rod, the plastic tube, and the wool and silk
fabrics any more than necessary; their electrostatic properties are degraded
by moisture and oil from our hands.
We made sure to remove the knob each time before testing the charges.
We made sure to take the charged object away from the knob immediately
after observing.
We avoided error due to parallax.
We made sure to avoid air resistance when observing the movement of the
vertical metal rod
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
The glass rod with fur and wool materials gives a negative charge while silk
material gives a positive charge as shown from the expected results in the
objectives of this experiment. Plastic rod rubbed with fur, silk and wool
becomes negatively charged. Lucite rod rubbed with fur, silk and wool
materials becomes positively charged.
Therefore, we know that if a negatively charged object is used to charge a
neutral object by induction, then the neutral object will acquire a positive
charge. And if a positively charged object is used to charge a neutral object by
induction, then the neutral object will acquire a negative charge. In the case of
conduction, if a negative object is used to charge a neutral object, then both
objects become charged negatively. In order for the neutral sphere to become
negative, it must gain electrons from the negatively charged rod.
