E-16. Electrically Charged Student

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    Charged Student
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of electrical charging through friction, as illustrated by a historical demonstration involving a student and a piece of fur. Participants also reference a fictional portrayal of similar abilities in a drama series, exploring the concept of body charge and its effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a demonstration where a student becomes electrically charged by friction with fur, allowing him to create sparks and ignite gas.
  • Another participant recalls a fictional episode from "X Files" where a character uses body charge to interact with objects at a distance, seeking to identify the specific episode.
  • A later reply humorously notes that the student reenacted his charging experience at parties, using a lighter to ignite gas and inviting others to replicate the fur friction.
  • Further comments suggest a playful atmosphere, with participants joking about the daring nature of the demonstrations and the reactions of others.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share a general interest in the topic, but there are multiple competing views regarding the fictional portrayal of body charge in the "X Files" episode, with some uncertainty about the details.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to both historical demonstrations and fictional representations, which may lead to varying interpretations of the phenomena described. The exact scientific principles behind the charging process and its portrayal in media are not fully resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the physics of static electricity, historical demonstrations in science education, or the intersection of science and popular culture may find this discussion engaging.

zoobyshoe
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"If a student stands on an insulated platform - an inverted battery jar will do - and is struck several times on the back with a piece of fur, his body becomes charged to a potential of several thousand volts above ground, and a 2 cm spark can be drawn from knuckles or ear, greatly to the amusement of the class. If the student holds a key tightly in his hand, sparks may be drawn from the key without causing him discomfort. The instructor may present to him a grounded Bunsen burner and let him ignite the gas by the spark."

-Demonstration Experiments in Physics

Richard Manliffe Sutton, Ph. D.

McGraw-Hill, 1938
 
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Once in an episode of a drama serial "X file", I saw a person who was able to demonstrate the superhuman ability to use his body charge to react with things at a distance.

Does anyone knows which episode it was?
 
zoobyshoe said:
"...The instructor may present to him a grounded Bunsen burner and let him ignite the gas by the spark."
Following graduation the student reenacted this glory day at parties by igniting the gas with a Zippo. :smile:
 
ElectroPhysics said:
Once in an episode of a drama serial "X file", I saw a person who was able to demonstrate the superhuman ability to use his body charge to react with things at a distance.

Does anyone knows which episode it was?
This is very creepy. This very episode aired tonight after you posted about it. The kid would go out into the cow pasture at night and attract lightning to charge himself up.
 
BoulderHead said:
Following graduation the student reenacted this glory day at parties by igniting the gas with a Zippo. :smile:
And by inviting partygoers to flog him with a piece of fur.
 
zoobyshoe said:
And by inviting partygoers to flog him with a piece of fur.
If they dared to get near ! :biggrin:
 

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