Static Electricity Tech-Lab (PhET Balloons and Static Electricity)
What educators are saying
Description
This NO PREP tech-lab will help your students visualize static electricity and charge transfer. This activity will address charging by friction, charging by contact (conduction), and charging by induction. Students will also account for the behavior of charged objects and identify the factors that influence the strength of electrostatic force.
Students especially struggle with visualizing induction and charge polarization. I love this simulation because it clearly demonstrates the concepts in a way that is easy for students to understand!
This activity includes a student handout, a teacher key with sample data and answers to analysis questions, and a teaching guide with background information and teaching tips.
Students will need access to the internet. The simulation can be accessed on the PhET Website.
What content does this cover?
- Electric Charge (general concepts, conservation of charge, conductors and insulators, etc.)
- Charging by friction, contact, and induction
- Factors that influence the strength of electrostatic force
The “Going Further” Activity is great for early finishers and enrichment. This going further activity is hands-on and requires some simple materials. Each group will need an aluminum pie pan, a plastic or Styrofoam cup, tape, a Styrofoam pad or plate, a piece of fur or wool, a grain of wheat bulb or neon LED bulb, a plastic straw, string, and aluminum foil.
You may also be interested in these resources:
Charge Transfer (Static Electricity) Doodle Notes
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