Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
SharePoint

5A20.10 - Coulomb's Law

The Web Part cannot find an InfoPath form in the specified location. Either the location does not have an InfoPath form associated with it or it is on a different site collection. Modify the Web Part Properties and select a list or library on the current site.

​5A20.10 - Coulomb's Law

Preview
SelectSelected
Title5A20.10 - Coulomb's Law
Objective

Demonstrate electrostatic forces between two charged spheres.​

StatusAvailable
Assembly Instructions

Place the columb assembly on one side of the table and clamp it down.  Place the laser on the opposite side of the table and point it at the mirror that is attached to the tension wire.  Make sure the placement of the sliding  ball does not interfere with the laser dot projection on the wall from the mirror.  Connect the aluminum plate to ground and include a piezoelectric squeezer for charging the spheres.

Initial adjustment requires that the separation between the spheres be set to zero and assure that the sliding and rotating ball guages also read zero. Adjust the magnetic brake of the rotating ball to center at zero. Adjust the laser to produce a spot on the wall above the students heads and mark the zero with a pointer of blue tape. After the demo is done being used, loosen the tension in the wire by loosening the screw at the base which holds the wire taut. This should not be left under tension when the demo is not in use.

Setup Time15
Operation Time5
Preview Time5
Operation Instructions

​ Apply charge to both spheres, either same or opposite charge, using the included piezoelectric squeezer. It is important to assure that the spheres are charged equally or the results can be questionable. Equal charge can be produced by shorting (touching) the spheres together for same/equal charges, or for opposite charges, piezo tip on one sphere and your finger on the other. Immediately pull the sliding ball of charge far from the rotating ball. Let the rotating ball stabilize, note that it should come to rest where the zero spot on the wall is projected by the laser. Next, interpose the sliding charged ball into the area of the rotating ball by linear increments and note that the laser deflection on the wall follows the 1/r^2 relationship in Coulomb's Law.

ExportableNo
Demo on DimeNo
PIRA 200Yes
Export Instructions (if different)
HazardsNone
Analysis/Information
Category5 Electricity and Magnetism
Subcategory5A - Electrostatics
Keywordscharges, Coulomb's Law, electrostatic force
Construction Information
 
Equipment TitleUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
QuantityUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
coulombs law apparatus - adjustable charge position
1
magnetic break
1
laser - green (low power)
1
piezo charger
1
proof plane - spherical
1
grounding plate with grounding plug
1
felt strips - grey
1
1
danger sign
1
squeezee clamp
2