Filename: Electrostatic Induced Charges
Electricity and Magnetism
Name: Electrostatic Induced Charge
Location: L314
Equipment: Plastic Straws (- charge), One meter stick, Animal Fur, Glass Rod (+ charge), Lab Jack, Round Glass (Convex Lens or Watch Glass).
Suggested Presentation: Place the rounded glass on the lab jack and then balance the meter stick on the glass. This makes a low friction surface. Charge up the straw with the animal fur which results a – charge on the straw. Bring the straw close to the meter stick and the meter stick is attracted to the straw due to the induced charge in the wood insulator. Charge up the glass with the animal fur, which makes a + charge on the glass, and repeat bringing it close to the meter stick. Again the meter stick is attracted to the glass showing that in both cases there is an attracting force due to the induced charge.