What are some household items capable of gaining an electric charge?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on household items capable of gaining an electric charge for an electrostatics lab aimed at creating an electrostatic series. The user selected cellophane and balloons as reference materials due to their weight and ease of observing reactions. By rubbing these materials with wool, they acquire a negative charge, allowing the user to classify other materials as electropositive or electronegative based on their interactions. Recommended materials include pop cans, balloons, and plastic wrap, with suggestions to explore triboelectricity for further insights.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatics principles
  • Familiarity with the triboelectric series
  • Experience with basic laboratory techniques
  • Knowledge of material properties, specifically polymers and their charge behavior
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the triboelectric series and its applications
  • Experiment with additional materials like paper, hair, and glass for electrostatic charging
  • Learn about the effects of humidity on electrostatic charge retention
  • Explore the principles of electrostatic induction and its practical uses
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics or chemistry courses, educators conducting electrostatics experiments, and anyone interested in the practical applications of electrostatic principles.

ctamasi
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Hey. I'm just doing a lab an electrostatics and my coursebook suggests a number of materials to use, however, I'm not really getting clear reactions with them.

The purpose of the lab is to create an electrostatic series. I first have to establish a reference material; I chose cellophane or a balloon because of their weight and therefore ease of noticing a reaction.

Then I have to rub the reference material in wool, and since polymers rubbed in wool acquire a negative charge, therefore are more electronegative than wool, I can determine the remainder of materials as being electropositive or electronegative by the level of attraction or repulsion experienced when another material is brough close to the reference material.

The best materials I've found are pop cans, balloons and plastic wrap. What are some other good materials to use?

Thanks a lot.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
paper, hair, glass, wool ... look up triboelectricity.
 
Awesome! Thanks so much, I'll look that up.
 

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