Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 1

 
Name _________________________________ Date ____________________________

Lab 1
Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction

Overview
Static electricity is the result of an imbalance of charge in materials. Since all
materials are made up of atoms, it is important to understand how the positive and
negative charges in the atom produce this imbalance of charge in objects.
An atom encapsulates positive (protons), neutral (neutrons) and negative
(electrons) charges within it. The positive and neutral charges make up the core or nucleus
of the atom, while electrons carrying a negative charge surround the nucleus. A very crude
model of the atom likens it to the solar system, which is described below as the Solar
System Model in Fig. 1.0.1. A more accurate model, which we believe today, is the
Electron Cloud Model, described below in Fig. 1.0.2.
Fig. 1.0.1 Solar System Model (a.k.a
Rutherford’s Model of Atom) is the
most common way to picture an
atom. The model describes electrons
orbiting around the nucleus in a
fashion similar to planets orbiting the
Sun. Just like planets have their orbits
and are located at different distances
from the Sun, the electrons have their
own trajectory and distance from the
nucleus. This model is still popular in
teaching physics as it is easier to
visualize.

Fig. 1.0.2 The Electron Cloud Model

claims that there are no orbitals.
Instead, the electrons are located
around the nucleus within certain
boundaries or shells.
These shells are described as the most
probable locations for electrons to be
found. The boundaries are fuzzy and
the precise locations of the electrons
are unknown. This model, which is
based on probability, is considered
more advanced, and it is commonly
used in chemistry and quantum
mechanics.

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Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 2  
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Typically, the number of electrons equals the number of protons. The outer
electrons are located farthest from nucleus and are held more loosely than the rest. On
contact between two materials, electrons may migrate from one material to another. This
migration will create an imbalance of charges. The object whose atoms lost electrons will
be left with a positive charge on it and the object that received or “captured” the electrons
will have a negative charge. This imbalance of charges is what creates static electricity.

Insulators and Conductors

Materials made of atoms that hold on to their electrons very tightly are called
insulators. Materials made of atoms that have a weak attraction to their electrons are
called conductors. If you take a segment of electric wire, you will have both types of
materials in it. The silicon that wraps around the metal is an insulator, and the metal
inside is a conductor. Electrons inside conductors are free to move as influenced by
various forces. They either move inside the conductor itself or can migrate to another
conductor.
Electrons inside insulators can only move within atoms themselves and cannot
move along the insulator. They may stretch the atoms or rotate them but never leave the
atoms under normal circumstances. Nevertheless, every insulator has a maximum electric
field strength that it can withstand without a breakdown. At the breakdown, the electric
field frees bound electrons, thus turning the insulator into a conductor. The breakdown
point depends on different factors, which include humidity, temperature, thickness of the
insulator, as well as the strength of the electric field.

The Triboelectric Series

Triboelectricity means electric charge generated by friction. It comes from the
Greek word “tribos”, which means rubbing. Historically, Benjamin Franklin named the
charge on glass positive and the charge on silk negative after he rubbed them against one
another. When an insulator like glass is rod rubbed against an insulator like silk, a charge
transfer occurs between the two materials. Silk attracts the loose electrons from the
surface of glass and becomes negatively charged. Because charge is conserved, the glass
rod is left positively charged. Transfer of electrons is responsible for charging; the
protons in atoms remain where they are.
Materials possess various tendencies to acquire or lose electrons; the ordering of
these tendencies is referred to as the triboelectric series. The list below orders a number
of common materials by their electrical nature. See Fig. 1.0.3. The tendency of a material
to acquire charge determines is place in the triboelectric series. The series is also called
the electronegativity scale. The chemical property of an atom to attract electrons itself is
called electronegativity. The top of the list measures the ability of the material to acquire
positive charge by giving up electrons while the bottom of the list is a measure of the
material to acquire negative charge or electrons. The further apart in the series the two
materials are, when rubbed together, the greater the charge acquired by each material. For
example, when Teflon is rubbed with silk, Teflon acquires a negative charge and silk
acquires a positive charge. Because they are quite far apart in the series, each acquires a
large amount of charge. Another example is when glass is rubbed with silk. The glass
acquires a positive charge and the silk now acquires a negative charge. Because silk and
glass are close together in the series, each acquires less charge and there is less charge
imbalance.

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Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 3  
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Fig. 1.0.3 The triboelectric

series shows the relative
tendencies of objects to
gain positive or negative
charges when rubbed
against one another. For
example, if we rub glass
on silk, glass will gain
positive charge and silk
will gain negative charge.

 
Neutral and Polarized Objects
An object is said to be neutral if it contains the same number of positive and
negative charges. In Fig. 1.0.4 below the material is neutral since each atom contains the
same number of positive and negative charges. The arrangement of the charge in the
atom is such that the center of negative charge is on one side and the center of the
positive charge is on the other. Each atom is arranged randomly so that the orientation of
the charges is different throughout the material.

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 Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 4  
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INVESTIGATION 2: CHARGE POLARIZATION

An object is said to be neutral if it contains the same number of

positive and negative charges. A neutral object can, however,
produce some of the same phenomena as a charged object as a
result of a process known as polarization. We already know that
opposite charges attract. If we recall that charges are somewhat
free to move within an object, we should not be surprised that a
positively charged object will induce a charge alignment in a
neutral object so that the object’s electrons are as near to the
positively charged object as possible. As a result, the neutral
object will appear to react to an electric force as though it were
charged. When you charge by induction, you are exploiting
polarization by reorienting the Fig.   1.0.4  
charges; mobile electrons move to
one side leaving positive ions on the other. This is one example of
polarization.
A neutral object can, however, produce some of the same phenomena as a
charged object as that
Recall a result of a process
in a conductor, known
electrons astopolarization.
are free We already know that
move. Polarization
in a conductor, then, is a result of a movement of
opposite charges attract. If we recall that charges are somewhat free electrons to one to move within an
side of an object. Electrons are not free to move in an insulator;
object, we should not be surprised that a positively charged object will induce a charge
this does not mean, however, that an insulator does not experience
alignment in polarization.
a neutral object so that
Polarization theinsulator
in an object’sis aelectrons are
result of an as near to the positively
alignment
charged object as possible. As a result, the neutral
of the charge within each individual molecule (Figure 5).object will appear to react to an
electric force as though it were charged. See Fig. 1.0.5.

Charged
object

Polarized insulator

Fig. 1.0.5
Figure 5
__________________________________________________________________________________
The  
University of Virginia electrons  
Physics Departmentand  nuclei  in  the  atoms  that  make  up  an  object  carry  equal  and  
PHYS 6360opposite   charges,   so   the   whole   object   appears   neutral.   When   a   second,   charged  
object  comes  close,  it  induces  the  electrons  to  align  themselves  slightly  away  from  
the  nuclei.  This  process  is  known  as  polarization. For example, in Fig. 1.0.6 below, a
plastic comb (negatively charged) attracts pieces of paper (neutral) after combing through
hair.

University  of  Virginia  Physics  Department  

Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 5  
Name _________________________________ Date ____________________________

Fig.  1.0.6  

Different Ways to Obtain Charge

There are primarily three different methods in how material gets charged. We call
them rubbing or friction, conduction or touching, and induction. The three methods are
illustrated below in Fig. 1.0.7. In Lab01 we will focus on charging by friction. More
details on the other two methods will be given in Lab02 and Lab03.

Fig.  1.0.7  

University  of  Virginia  Physics  Department  

Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 6  
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Activity 1 - 1: Charging Objects by Friction

Objective: Charge selected objects by rubbing them on silk; observe the effect of charge
on small objects around it.

Materials:
• Acrylic Rod*
• Teflon Rod
• Silk
• Scrap Paper (confetti)

* We use acrylic rods instead of traditional glass rods for safety reasons. Acrylic
ranks about the same as glass in the triboelectric series.

The materials except for the confetti are shown in Fig 1.1.1.

Fig. 1.1.1

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Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 7  
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Procedure:
1. Cut a piece of dry, scrap paper into a few quarter-inch squares.

2. Neutralize the Teflon rod by sliding it slowly across your palm. Move the rod
towards the paper squares. Describe the behavior of the squares.
__________________________________________________________________

3. Rub the Teflon rod with silk. Move the rod towards the paper squares. Describe
the behavior of the squares. ___________________________________________

4. Repeat the same process with the acrylic rod. Describe the behavior of the squares
before and after the acrylic rod is charged. _______________________________

5. We have seen that paper spares are attracted to the rods when they are charged.
But it is unclear why that happens. We will revisit the phenomenon in activity 3.
Meanwhile, can we tell from the behavior of the paper squares alone whether the
charges on the acrylic rod and the Teflon rod have the same polarity after rubbing
against silk, or different? _____________________________________________

6. We will examine the charges on the acrylic rod and the Teflon rod again in the
next activity. What do you predict about the polarities of charges? Why?
__________________________________________________________________

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Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 8  
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Activity 1 - 2: Electrical Forces between Charged Objects

Objective: Show that charged objects could attract or repel each other, depending on the
polarity of charges involved.

Materials:
• Acrylic Rod x2
• Teflon Rod x2
• Silk
• The Spinner*

* The “spinner” consists of two parts – the base and the cap. The base is a piece of
acrylic with a protruding metal pin. A cork is placed over the metal pin during
shipping and handling for safety reasons. Remove the cork only when the apparatus is
in use. The cap is another piece of acrylic that is designed to rotate freely on the metal
pin. See Fig. 1.2.1 and Fig. 1.2.2.

Fig. 1.2.1 Fig 1.2.2

Procedure:
1. Charge one end of the first Teflon rod by striking it on the silk cloth and place this
Teflon rod on the spinner. Now charge one end of the second Teflon rod.

Fig1.2.3

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Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 9  
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Fig. 1.2.4

2. After charging both rods, hold one Teflon rod in your hand parallel to the Teflon
rod on the spinner as shown in Fig. 1.2.3 and Fig. 1.2.4 in order to ensure the
greatest possible interaction between the two. Record the direction of the force
(attract or repel) in Table 1.2.1.

3. Repeat the same process with two acrylic rods. Record the direction of the force
in Table 1.2.1.

4. Repeat the same process with one acrylic rod and one Teflon rod. Record the
direction of the force in Table 1.2.1.

Direction of Electrical Forces Between Charged Objects

Teflon (-) Acrylic (+)
Teflon (-)
Acrylic (+)
Table 1.2.1

5. What can we generalize about the direction of the electric force between charged
objects of the same kind, according to entries in the table above? If opposite
charges attract, then why does positive charge stay on silk and negative charge on
Teflon after we rub them against one another? ____________________________

University  of  Virginia  Physics  Department  

Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 10  
Name _________________________________ Date ____________________________

Activity 1 - 3: Forces between a Charged Object and an

Uncharged Object

Objective: Move a wooden rod on the spinner.

Materials:
• Acrylic Rod
• Teflon Rod
• Wooden Rod*
• Silk
• The Spinner
* The wooden rod likes to absorb moisture from the air and becomes slightly conductive.
In addition it is not so easily charged when rubbed. Thus, it is excluded from the previous
two activities.

Procedure:
1. Place the wooden rod in the slot on the spinner. Charge the Teflon rod by rubbing
it on silk.

.
2. Hold the Teflon rod in your hand parallel to the wooden rod on the spinner as
shown in Fig. 1.3.1 to ensure the greatest possible interaction. Record the
direction of the force in Table 1.3.1.

Fig. 1.3.1 A wooden rod is placed on the spinner. A Teflon rod is then charged and used
to rotate the wooden rod without touching it. Note the direction of the electric force
between the two.

3. Substitute the Teflon rod with the acrylic rod. Repeat the same process. Record
the direction of the force in Table 1.3.1.

4. Recall the description about how paper squares behave near charged acrylic and
Teflon rods in Activity 1. If you are not sure, redo activity 1 to double check. Fill
in Table 1.3.1.

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Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 11  
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Direction of Electrical Forces between a Charged Object and an Uncharged Object

Teflon (-) Acrylic (+)
Wood (0)
Paper (0)
Table 1.3.1

5. What can we generalize about the direction of the electric force between a
charged object and an uncharged object? ________________________________

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Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 12  
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Activity 1- 4: Sneaky Static

Objective: Raise awareness of static electricity in everyday life.

Materials:
• Scotch tape
• Teflon rod
• Silk

Procedure:
1. Pull 4 segments of scotch tape of 5 cm each. Stick them on the edge of a table. As
shown in Fig. 1.4.1. Fold back 1cm on each segment to make a handle. Label
them A, B, C, and D.

Fig. 1.4.1

2. Stick the sticky side of A against the unsticky side of B together. Then pull them
apart. When you move them close to each other again, what do you observe about
the force between them? _____________________________________________

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Lab 1 – Electrostatics: Charging Objects by Friction 13  
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3. Stick A and B on the edge of the table, using 1cm of the remaining sticky part
near the handle. About 2 cm of each segment should suspend over the edge of the
table and remain untouched.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with C and D. What do you observe about the force between
them? ____________________________________________________________

5. Now pull A and C off the table. Move them close to each other. What do you
observe about the force between them? __________________________________

6. Put C back down and pick up D. Move A and D close to each other. What do you
observe about the force between them? __________________________________

7. Put A back down and pick up B. Before you move B and D close to each other,
what is your prediction about the force between them? What is the actual result?
__________________________________________________________________

8. Finally, charge up a Teflon rod with silk and use it to check the polarity of charge
on each segment by observing whether it attracts or repels the segment. What is
the polarity of charge on each segment? _________________________________

9. Static electricity can be sneaky in everyday life. List 3 household phenomena that
involve static electricity. _____________________________________________

University  of  Virginia  Physics  Department