🚀 go-pugleaf

jweiss@paintbrush.cgd.ucar.edu (Jeffrey Weiss) writes:

>In my physics classes I recall we used cat fur, bakelite rods, and
>pith balls to do simple static electricity experiments.  Does anyone
>have any suggestions for common household substitutes?  I've found
>that rubbing plastic silverware with a wool blanket charges the
>plasticware, which I can then use to charge other plasticware.  I thus
>can create many charged spoons and forks but they all have same-sign
>charges.  Any hints on getting oppositely charged objects?
>--
>Jeff
>jweiss@ncar.ucar.edu
PVC pipe or anything made of PVC plastic will be charged negatively 
when rubbed with a paper towel. Acrylic plastic will be charged 
positively. Examples of both kinds of plastic are not too hard to find
around the average house. I use these materials in my classes because 
the plastics are cheap, don't break when you drop them and work no 
matter what the weather; paper towels are handy and if one gets 
contaminated by sweat or whatever, just get another. For really 
spectacular results make an electrophorus out of either of the 
plastics. The only disadvantage to them is that, if you use them as 
charged rods, they don't transfer charge by contact too well since 
they are such good insulators.
Cliff Bettis