Static Station 1 – Clear as Glass
Materials
- sheet of glass (like the window)
- plastic bag with zipper lock
- plastic container
- small pieces of tissue paper
Procedure
1- Write “Static Station 1 – Clear As Glass” in your notebook.
2- Make a table to record your data like this:
Interaction / Prediction / Observation (data)Plastic rubbed on glass
Charged plastic near tissue paper
Touched plastic to glass again
Rubbed plastic bag on plastic container
3- Predict what will happen as a result of each of the scenarios in your table.
4- Rub the side of the glass quickly with the plastic bag
5- Place the plastic bag near the small strips of paper. Make some careful observations and record in
your notebook.
6- Touch the plastic bag against the glass and make some observations. Record in your notebook.
7- Rub the side of the plastic container with the plastic bag. Make observations and record in your
notebook.
Prove that You Know Your Stuff…
Make detailed explanations for these questions in your notebook.
A. What causes the glass to become electrically charged when it is rubbed with the plastic bag?
B. Which item has the most electrostatic attraction? (The bag, the glass, or the container?) Support your opinion with data.
Static Station 2- Rock and Roll!
Materials
- 15 cm2 piece of paper
- cellophane tape (Scotch ® tape)
- plastic comb
- one head of hair
- sterile wipe to clean the comb
Procedure
1- Write “Static Station 2 – Rock and Roll” in your notebook.
2- Make a table to record your data like this:
Interaction / Prediction / Observation (data)Rub a comb through hair
Charged comb next to paper tube
3- Predict what will happen as a result of each of the scenarios in your table.
4- Roll up a 15 cm2 piece of paper and tape together to make a roll.
5- Rub a comb through your hair several times. Make careful observations and record in your table.
6- Place the comb next to the paper tube. Make careful observations and record in your table.
7- Clean the comb with the sterile wipe when you are done.
Prove that You Know Your Stuff…
Make detailed explanations for these questions in your notebook.
A. What happened to the paper roll?
B. Why did the paper roll behave this way?
C. How was the charge created? (friction, conduction, induction)
D. Draw a diagram and label the + and – charges in the hair, the comb, and the paper.
Static Station 3 – Water Bends?
Materials
- sink with running water in a smooth, thin, stream
- plastic comb
- one head of hair
- sterile wipe to clean the comb
Procedure
1- Write “Static Station 3 – Water Bends?” in your notebook.
2- Make a table to record your data like this:
Interaction / Prediction / Observation (data)Plastic comb rubbed through hair
Charged comb near stream of water
3- Predict what will happen as a result of each of the scenarios in your table.
4- Rub a comb quickly through your hair several times. Make careful observations and record in your
table.
5- Turn on the water in a smooth, thin, stream.
6- Hold the comb near the water but do not get it wet! Make some careful observations and record in
the table.
7- Clean the comb with the sterile wipe when you are done!
Prove that You Know Your Stuff…
Make detailed explanations for these questions in your notebook.
A. What happened to the water stream?
B. Why did it happen this way?
C. How was the charge created? (friction, conduction, induction)
D. Draw a diagram and label the + and – charges in the hair, the water stream, and the comb.
Static Station 4 – Sugar Walls
Materials
- two inflated latex balloons – tied off
- wall
- one head of hair
- small pile of granulated sugar
Procedure
1- Write “Static Station 4- Static Balloons” in your notebook.
2- Make a table to record your data like this:
Interaction / Prediction / Observation (data)Balloon rubbed on hair
Charged balloon touching wall
Charged balloon near pile of sugar
3- Predict what will happen as a result of each of the scenarios in your table.
4- Rub two inflated balloons against your hair.
5- Touch one balloon to the wall. Make careful observations and record what happens in the table.
6- Bring the second balloon next to (but not touching) the pile of sugar.
Prove that You Know Your Stuff…
Make detailed explanations for these questions in your notebook.
A. What happened to the balloon when you stuck it to the wall?
B. What happened to the sugar when it was near the balloon?
C. What particles are responsible for making your hair stick up?
D. Draw a diagram of the balloon stuck to the wall.
Static Station 5 – Dancing Fools
Materials
- one inflated latex balloon – tied off
- paper cut-out of person
- one head of hair
Procedure
1- Write “Static Station 5 – Dancing Fools” in your notebook.
2- Make a table to record your data like this:
Interaction / Prediction / Observation (data)Balloon rubbed on hair
Charged balloon very near paper cut-out
Charged balloon slightly near paper cut-out
3- Predict what will happen as a result of each of the scenarios in your table.
4- Rub the inflated balloon against your hair.
5- Hold the balloon above your paper cut out. Move the balloon closer and farther away from the
paper. Make careful observations and record what happens in the table’s two lines.
Prove that You Know Your Stuff…
Make detailed explanations for these questions in your notebook.
A. What happened to the paper cut outs when the balloon was almost touching them?
B. Why did this happen?
C. What can you conclude about electrostatic force and distance between objects?
D. Draw a diagram of the balloon near the cut outs. Show + and – charges.
Static Station 6 – Salt and Pepper
Materials
- one charging rod
- one rabbit skin or silk cloth
- salt and pepper mixture
Procedure
1- Write “Static Station 6 – salt and pepper” in your notebook.
2- Make a table to record your data like this:
Interaction / Prediction / Observation (data)Charged rod and fur or silk
Charged rod 3 cm away from salt and pepper
Charged rod 1 cm away from salt and pepper
3- Predict what will happen as a result of each of the scenarios in your table.
4- Rub the rod with the fur or silk.
5- Hold the rod above the salt and pepper mixture. Move the rod closer and farther away from the
mix. Make careful observations and record what happens in the table’s two lines.
6- Clean up the salt and pepper mess if needed.
Prove that You Know Your Stuff…
Make detailed explanations for these questions in your notebook.
A. What happened to mixture when the rod came very near?
B. Why did this happen?
C. What can you conclude about electrostatic force and distance between objects?
D. Could static be used to separate mixtures? Explain.