Vernier Mirror Set for Optics Expansion Kit - Manual (Page 2)

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measuring a small electrostatic charge, the smallest range setting on the sensor may
be appropriate; however, if the sensor is reading its maximum value, you may want
to switch to a higher range.
Note: As you collect data for different situations, you will need to zero the Charge
Sensor since it is extremely easy to pick up stray charges. If the sensor reading drifts,
press the Reset button on the sensor between data-collection runs.
Sample Experiments
A variety of experiments can be performed with this kit and a Charge Sensor. Below
you will find three detailed examples. Try them out to learn more about the
equipment.
Amount of charge
Use the sensor to see the difference in the amount of charge transferred using
differing voltage sources. You will need a Faraday Pail, Cage, Ground Plane, and
Vernier Charge Sensor.
1. Attach the Charge Sensor black lead to the Ground Plane.
2. Attach the Charge Sensor red lead to the Faraday Pail.
3. Connect a Grounding Wire between the Cage and the Ground Plane.
4. Attach the grounding strap to your wrist.
5. Ground the system and discharge the sensor by pressing and holding the Reset
button on the sensor.
6. Set up the High Voltage Source by connecting the Voltage Terminal to the
750 V terminal. Ground the other terminal to the Ground Plane.
7. Use the Ground Wire from the Ground Plane to
touch a sphere and ground the sphere. Touch the
Voltage Terminal to the sphere.
8. Touch the Proof Plane to the sphere and insert it
into the Pail without touching the Pail. What does
the Charge Sensor read? [Should be positive.]
9. To remove any charge from the Proof Plane, dab all
parts of Proof Plane with a damp cotton cloth.
10. Ground the sphere.
11. Connect the Voltage Terminal to the
1500 V terminal and touch the sphere.
12. Touch the Proof Plane to the sphere and insert it
into the Pail without touching the Pail. What does
the Charge Sensor read? [Should be positive.] How
does the reading compare to the first measurement?
[Should be about twice that seen in Step 7.]
13. Repeat with the 3000 V source.
14. Explain your results. [Higher voltage sources
produced a proportional increase in the charge on the sphere.]
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Distribution of charge
Use the equipment to see the distribution of charge on a sphere. You will need a
Faraday Pail, Cage, Ground Plane, and Vernier Charge Sensor.
1. Attach the Charge Sensor black lead to the Ground Plane.
2. Attach the Charge Sensor red lead to the Faraday Pail.
3. Connect a Grounding Wire between the Cage and the Ground Plane.
4. Attach the grounding strap to your wrist.
5. Ground the system and discharge the sensor by pressing and holding the
Reset button on the sensor.
6. Set up the High Voltage Source by connecting the Voltage Terminal to the
3000 V terminal. Ground the other terminal to the Ground Plane.
7. Use the Ground Wire from the Ground Plane to touch a sphere, discharging it.
Touch the Voltage Terminal to the sphere, charging it.
8. Touch the Proof Plane to the sphere and insert it into the Pail without touching
the Pail. What does the Charge Sensor read? [Should be a positive reading.]
9. To remove any charge from the Proof Plane, dab all parts of the Proof Plane with
a damp cotton cloth.
10. Touch the Proof Plane to another part of the sphere and insert it into the Pail
without touching the Pail. What does the Charge Sensor read? How does the
reading compare to the first measurement? [Should be the same as above.]
11. Repeat a third time.
12. Explain your results. [The charge distribution on a sphere is uniform.]
Distribution of charge to two spheres
Use the equipment to see the distribution of charge as charge is shared with a second
sphere. You will need a Faraday Pail, Cage, Ground Plane, and Vernier Charge
Sensor.
1. Attach the Charge Sensor black lead to the Ground Plane.
2. Attach the Charge Sensor red lead to the Faraday Pail.
3. Connect a Grounding Wire between the Cage and the Ground Plane.
4. Attach the grounding strap to your wrist.
5. Ground the system and discharge the sensor by pressing and holding the Reset
button on the sensor.
6. Set up the High Voltage Source by connecting the Voltage Terminal to the
3000 V terminal. Ground the other terminal to the Ground Plane.
7. Use the Ground Wire from the Ground Plane to ground both spheres, discharging
them.
8. Touch the Voltage Terminal to a sphere, charging it.
9. Touch the Proof Plane to the sphere and insert it into the Pail without touching
the Pail. What does the Charge Sensor read? [Should be positive.]
10. To remove any charge from the Proof Plane, dab all parts of the Proof Plane with
a damp cotton cloth.