Creating a Long-Lasting Static Charge to Attract Dust

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter danem
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Charge Dust Static
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on creating a long-lasting static charge on a surface measuring approximately 1m x 2m to attract dust and small particles. Participants suggest using a good dielectric material with a high breakdown voltage to maintain the charge and prevent discharge. Insulating tape is recommended to cover the charge source, while oil is deemed unsuitable due to its tendency to absorb dust. The intensity of the charge can be restored by removing accumulated dust from the surface.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of static electricity principles
  • Knowledge of dielectric materials and their properties
  • Familiarity with charge induction methods
  • Experience with insulating materials and their applications
NEXT STEPS
  • Research suitable dielectric materials with high breakdown voltage
  • Explore methods for inducing static charge on surfaces
  • Investigate the properties and applications of insulating tape
  • Learn about techniques for maintaining static charge over time
USEFUL FOR

Individuals interested in experimental physics, materials science, or anyone looking to develop methods for static charge applications in dust attraction and particle collection.

danem
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
hi,
i have some questions about static charges and to see if anyone is able to help me with an experiment.
i am pretty naive about this stuff, so please excuse my ignorance if i ask you any silly questions in response to suggestions.
i want to create some sort of charge on a surface (about 1m x 2m approx) that will attract dust and similarly small particles in a normal environment. the thing about it is that it would need to be lasting - a static charge tends to be short lived when induced through friction etc.
does anyone have any ideas what i could do/make/find/use to do this??
thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The to avoid the discharge put lots of insulating tape on it...or a thick layer of oil (but that will absorb dust).

What I'm asking you to do actually is to put a good dielectric with a high breakdown voltage on that charge source (cover it up with that).

The intensity of charge will decrease as dust accumulates, charge will again be restored if you remove the dust.
 
thanks for your reply.
where should the insulating tape go? and what material would be best to use?
oil will be no good as it needs to be dry.
so the insulating tape goes around something, but what? and I'm not sure what my charge source could be, or how it would be attached to the surface.
i'm sorry my questions might be a bit naive!
thanks again.
dane
 

Similar threads

High School Rubber Bands & Paper Attraction
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
High School Does the Electric Field Change When One Charge Moves Relative to Another?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School How is surface charge accumulated?
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
6K
High School Problems I Have With Electrostatics and Pith Ball Experiments
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
High School Can high voltage static electricity cause a shock through a power cord?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
High School Basic questions regarding theory of electrical capacitance
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Continuously positive static charged vessel?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
High School Ion Trap and Time-Varying Potentials
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate The electric field in an expanding, statically-charged tube
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Why are two cellophane tapes attracted when ripped apart?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K