Students animate the movement of electrons that occurs when the Electrophorus is used to create a charge imbalance.

Activity Details

Grade Level: 9-10

Age: 15-16

Content:Physical Science, "static electricity", atomic structure

Objectives:

• Students demonstrate their knowledge of the behavior of electrons by showing the movement of electrons as the Electrophorus is used. 

Activity Overview

In the Classroom:

• The Electrophorus is a simple device for creating a charge imbalance (wikipedia entry for Electrophorus).  It consists of an aluminum pie plate (with a styrofoam cup handle) that can be placed upon a block of styrofoam that has been charged by rubbing it with fur. A charge imbalance can be created between two people if person A touches the electrophorus when the pie plate is resting on the styrofoam and person B touches the electrophorus after the pie plate has been lifted by its styrofoam cup handle.  When the two people touch fingers, a spark will form between the two people's fingers as the charge imbalance is neutralized.
• After using the Electrophorus and being instructed on the movement of electrons while it is being used, students demonstrate their understanding by doing the animation.

Tips:

Questions for students:

Extensions:

•  The class notes on Charge Imbalance that lead up to this activity are attached:notes_charge

Comments: