Demonstrating Electric Charges | Physics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Demonstrating Electrostatic Charges

• Electrostatic repulsion arises from the interaction between charges.
  • Like charges, when identical, experience repulsion, causing them to push away from each other.
• In basic demonstrations illustrating the generation of electrostatic charges through friction, insulating materials like plastics are utilized.
  • Friction is employed to transfer electrons from the surface of the insulator.
• Through the removal of electrons, which are negatively charged particles, the insulator obtains a positive charge.

Method

• Suspend one insulating material using a cradle and a string to allow free rotation.
• Rub one end of the material with a cloth to give it a charge.
• Take a second insulating material, charge it by rubbing with a cloth.
• Hold the charged end of the second material near the charged end of the first:
  • If the first material rotates away from the second, they have the same charge (repelled).
  • If the first material moves towards the second, they have opposite charges (attracted).