Vernier Electrostatics Kit - Manual

Electrostatics
Kit
(Order Code ESK-CRG)
The Electrostatics Kit is an accessory
for the Vernier Charge Sensor. This kit allows students to perform a range of
experiments in electrostatics. Experiments include
 Using Faraday’s Ice Pail
 Production of charge by friction
 Transfer of charge by contact
 Charging by Induction
 Quantitative and qualitative measurement of charge
What is Included with the Electrostatics Kit?
 Faraday Pail (aluminum can)  Ground Plane (flat metal sheet)
 Cage (metal wire cage)
 Grounding Wrist Strap
 (2) Grounding Wires  Square of wool (fabric)
 (2) Charge Separators  Square of vinyl (plastic pad)
 Proof Plane  PVC rod (gray)
 Cotton cloth  Nylon rod (white)
A Closer Look at the Components
Faraday Pail, Cage, and Ground Plane
The key part to this kit is the Faraday Pail, Cage, and Ground Plane. The Faraday
Pail is used in the measurement of electrostatic charge on objects. Charged objects
placed inside the Pail induce equal magnitude but opposite charge on the inside of
the can. This in turn produces a charge on the outside of the can which has the same
sign as the object in the can. A Charge Sensor attached to the Pail allows you to
determine the magnitude and sign of the charge on the object.
The Ground Plane is the sheet of metal that the equipment sits on. The Ground Plane
is used to ground objects such as the Faraday Pail, the Cage or the experimenter.
2
The Cage is the cylindrical metal mesh, and it sits on a plastic plate. During
experiments you will want to use a Grounding Wire to ground the Cage to the
Ground Plane.
The Faraday Pail sits inside the Cage but on the plastic plate. The charge on an
object can be measured when the object is placed inside the Pail, assuming that the
Charge Sensor is connected to the pail. You can also measure charge by transferring
it to the Pail through contact.
Charger Separators and Proof Plane
Another set of key components are the Charge Separators and Proof Plane. These
three objects have acrylic handles. The Proof Plane has a metal conducting disk that
is used to test the charge on an object. The two Charge Separators are different
materials. The gray material is PVC and the white one is nylon. When rubbed
together, the gray PVC develops a negative charge while the white Nylon develops a
positive charge. A small cotton cloth is included with this kit. The cloth is used to
remove excess charge on the Charge Separators. Dampen the cloth with water and
touch all the surfaces of the Charge Separators to the cloth.
Traditional Charger Separators
A set of traditional Charge Separators is also included. One set consists of a white
nylon rod and a vinyl pad. When the nylon and vinyl are rubbed together, the nylon
rod becomes positive and the vinyl becomes negative. The other set is a gray PVC
rod and wool cloth. When the PVC and wool are rubbed together, the PVC develops
a negative charge while the wool develops a positive charge.
NOTE: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial process such
as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing process, or industrial
testing of any kind.