Simple static electricity experiments
Note: a humid atmosphere provides a conducting path for the rapid neutralization of static charge; hence the following examples work best in dry, winter conditions.
Static electricity is notable as a physical phenomenon that can be demonstrated using simple experiments that can convey genuine understanding of the physics involved.
A simple and illuminating example of the effects of static electricity can be observed using adhesive tape (such as Scotch tape, on the negative side of the triboelectric series, hence tends to gain electrons and acquire negative charge) charged by peeling.
If a length of tape adhered to a smooth surface is rapidly peeled off, the tape will acquire an excess negative charge (generally polypropylene with an acrylic adhesive). Do this with two lengths of tape and they will repel each other, demonstrating the fact that like charges repel. Each individual length of tape will experience a small attraction to almost any object as the presence of the excess negative charge induces a charge separation in nearby objects. Negative charges are pushed farther away, while positive charges are attracted, and the strength of the attractive and repulsive forces falls off quite rapidly with distance. This effect is most pronounced in materials such as metals, that conduct electricity, as the negative charges are free to move within the material.
Finally, try attaching two lengths of tape together, exhaling on them along the entire length to neutralize the charge, then rapidly pulling them apart. There will be some imbalance in the distribution of negative charge between the two pieces such that one is more positive and the other more negative; you should now find that the two lengths of tape attract each other, demonstrating the fact that opposite charges attract. Attaching the adhesive side of one length of tape to the non-adhesive side of the other reduces the chance of tearing and increases the charge imbalance, and hence the strength of the attractive force.
Static electricity in fiction
In the 1963 British science-fiction television serial "Doctor Who", an alien creature encased in metal called a Dalek was powered by static electricity. In Atlas Shrugged, a novel by Ayn Rand, the principal character John Galt develops a perpetually running motor powered by static electricity but it most likely would have to be recharged every 30 minutes.
References:
Note: a humid atmosphere provides a conducting path for the rapid neutralization of static charge; hence the following examples work best in dry, winter conditions.
Static electricity is notable as a physical phenomenon that can be demonstrated using simple experiments that can convey genuine understanding of the physics involved.
Charged adhesive tape
Repulsion between lengths of tape with like charges.
Attraction between lengths of tape with opposite charges.
A simple and illuminating example of the effects of static electricity can be observed using adhesive tape (such as Scotch tape, on the negative side of the triboelectric series, hence tends to gain electrons and acquire negative charge) charged by peeling.
If a length of tape adhered to a smooth surface is rapidly peeled off, the tape will acquire an excess negative charge (generally polypropylene with an acrylic adhesive). Do this with two lengths of tape and they will repel each other, demonstrating the fact that like charges repel. Each individual length of tape will experience a small attraction to almost any object as the presence of the excess negative charge induces a charge separation in nearby objects. Negative charges are pushed farther away, while positive charges are attracted, and the strength of the attractive and repulsive forces falls off quite rapidly with distance. This effect is most pronounced in materials such as metals, that conduct electricity, as the negative charges are free to move within the material.
Finally, try attaching two lengths of tape together, exhaling on them along the entire length to neutralize the charge, then rapidly pulling them apart. There will be some imbalance in the distribution of negative charge between the two pieces such that one is more positive and the other more negative; you should now find that the two lengths of tape attract each other, demonstrating the fact that opposite charges attract. Attaching the adhesive side of one length of tape to the non-adhesive side of the other reduces the chance of tearing and increases the charge imbalance, and hence the strength of the attractive force.
Static electricity in fiction
In the 1963 British science-fiction television serial "Doctor Who", an alien creature encased in metal called a Dalek was powered by static electricity. In Atlas Shrugged, a novel by Ayn Rand, the principal character John Galt develops a perpetually running motor powered by static electricity but it most likely would have to be recharged every 30 minutes.
References:
- http://en.wikipedia.org
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- Krider, E. Philip (January 2006). "Benjamin Franklin and Lightning Rods". Physics Today. http://www.physicstoday.org/vol-59/iss-1/p42.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- J. J. Lowke (1992). "Theory of electrical breakdown in air". Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics 25: 202–210. doi:10.1088/0022-3727/25/2/012. http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/0022-3727/25/2/012/jd920212.pdf?request-id=XIfZw4zI3BGDoxCz2wi7Kg.
- Kassebaum, J. H. and Kocken, R. A. (1995). "Controlling Static Electricity in Hazardous (Classified) Locations". Petroleum and Chemical Industry 42nd Annual Conference Papers: 105–113. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel3/4013/11530/00523945.pdf?tp=&arnumber=523945&isnumber=11530.
- Wagner, John P.; Clavijo, Fernando Rangel [doi:10.1016/S0304-3886(00)00019-X Electrostatic charge generation during impeller mixing of used transformer oil] Department of Nuclear Engineering, Safety Engineering and Industrial Hygiene Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, online 21 August 2000; accessed Jan 2009
- Hearn, Graham (1998). "Static electricity: concern in the pharmaceutical industry?". Pharmaceutical Science & Technology Today 1 (7): 286–287. doi:10.1016/S1461-5347(98)00078-9.
- Egorov, V.N. Electrification of petroleum fuels Khimiya i Tekhnologiya Topliv i Masel, No. 4, pp. 20–25, April, 1970 accessed Dec 2008
- Chevron Corporation Aviation Fuels Technical Review 2006, accessed Dec 2008
- Hearn, Graham Static electricity - guidance for Plant Engineers - Wolfson Electrostatics University of Southampton 2002; accessed Dec 2008
- Kinzing, G.E., 'Electrostatic Effects in Pneumatic Transport: Assessment, Magnitudes and Future Direction', Journal Pipelines, 4, 95-102, 1984
- "Snopes.com: Fuelish Pleasures". http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp. Retrieved on 2008-04-19.
- "NASA - Crackling Planets". http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/10aug_crackling.htm. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
- "Kids science projects". http://www.creativekidsathome.com/science/staticelectricity.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
- H. Yasuro, H. Makoto and I. Isao (2007). "Charging of Adhesive Tapes on Peeling". Journal of the Adhesion Society of Japan 43 (3): 97–103. http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200706/000020070607A0223458.php.
- "3M Material Safety Data Sheet". http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver?BBBBBBXeXgc1ZGXFEqZswKKgRmpBWHcbKGcByi5--. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.
