Demonstrating Electric Charges - IGCSE

Demonstrating Electric
Charges (CIE IGCSE Physics)

Yegana Bakirova.
Charging by friction
 When certain insulating solids are rubbed against each other, they can
become electrically charged
o This is called charging by friction
 The charges remain on the insulators and cannot immediately flow away
o One gains a net positive charge and the other gains a net negative
charge
 An example of this is a plastic or polythene rod being charged by rubbing it with a

cloth
o Both the rod and cloth are insulating materials
Charging solids by friction

A polyethene rod may be given a charge by rubbing it with a cloth
 When an uncharged cloth is rubbed against an uncharged

polythene rod
o Electrons are transferred away from the cloth

to the rod
 The cloth has lost electrons so it becomes

positively charged
 The polythene rod has gained electrons so it

becomes negatively charged
o These oppositely charged objects are

also attracted to each other
 When an uncharged cloth is rubbed against an uncharged

acetate plastic rod, however
o Electrons are transferred away from the acetate rod

to the cloth
 The cloth has gained electrons so it becomes

negatively charged
 The rod has lost electrons so it becomes positively
charged
At this level, if you are asked to explain how charge is gained or lost, you must
reference electrons. If an object gains electrons, it gains negative charge and if it loses
electrons, it loses negative charge (and hence, gains positive charge)
Remember when charging by friction, it is only the electrons that can move, not any
'positive' charge, therefore if an insulator gains a negative charge, the other insulator
must have gained a positive charge
SUMMARY
 Friction between certain insulators causes the
transfer of charge.
 When electrons are transferred away from an object ,
the object becomes positively charged.
 When electrons are transferred to an object becomes
negatively charged.
 The build-up of electrons on an insulator is called
static.
 Be prepared to explain the prosses of electron
transfer.
Demonstrating electrostatic charges

Experiment 1: investigating electrostatic charging by friction
 The aim of this experiment is to investigate how insulating materials can be

charged by friction
Variables
 Independent variable = Rods of different material

 Dependent variable = Charge on the rod
 Control variables:
o Time spent rubbing the rod
o Using the same type of cloth
o Using the same length of rod
Equipment
Equipment list
Method
Apparatus for investigating charging by friction
1. Take a polythene rod, hold it at its centre and rub both ends with a cloth
2. Suspend the rod, without touching the ends, from a stand using a cradle and
nylon string
3. Take a second polythene rod and rub one end with a different cloth
4. Bring the second polythene rod close to the suspended rod
5. Record any observations of the suspended rod's motion, i.e. whether it is
attracted or repelled by the second rod
6. Repeat using an acetate rod and rods of different materials
Example results table
Analysis of results
 When two insulating materials are rubbed together, negative charge (electrons)
will transfer from one insulator to the other
 A polythene rod gains a negative charge when rubbed with a cloth
o This is because electrons are transferred to the polythene from the cloth
 An acetate rod gains a positive charge when rubbed with a cloth

o This is because electrons are removed from the acetate by the cloth
Transfer of electrons between charged insulators

Electrons are transferred to the polythene rod giving it a negative charge, and
they move from the acetate rod giving it a positive charge
 If the material is repelled by the polythene rod, then the materials have the same
charge
o For example, the polythene rod would be repelled by a second polythene
rod, as they have the same charge
 If the material is attracted to the polythene rod, then they have opposite
charges
o For example, the polythene rod would be attracted to an acetate rod, as
they have opposite charges
Evaluating the experiment
 Reduce the effects of environmental factors (e.g. close windows to reduce drafts)
to ensure the motion of the polythene rod is due to electric forces only
 Make sure not to touch the ends of the rods once they have been charged (if the
ends are touched, the rods will discharge and the forces will no longer be
present)
 Produce greater deflections by rubbing the rods for a longer period to transfer
more charge (ensuring that the time spent rubbing each rod is the same)
Experiment 2: detecting charge using a gold-leaf electroscope
 The aim of this experiment is to detect charge using a gold leaf electroscope
Variables
 Independent variable = Rods of different material

 Dependent variable = Charge on the rod
Equipment
Equipment list
Method
The gold-leaf electroscope is a device consisting of a metal plate, a metal stem
and a thin gold leaf. The stem and leaf are housed in an airtight container to
prevent draughts.
1. Before beginning the experiment, ensure the plate of the electroscope is

uncharged by touching it with your finger. The leaf should hang straight down
next to the stem
2. Charge a polythene rod by rubbing it with a cloth
3. Bring the charged rod towards the plate of the electroscope and record any
observations
4. Bring the charged rod away from the plate of the electroscope and record any
observations
5. Touch the charged rod to the plate of the electroscope and record any
observations
6. Repeat using an acetate rod
Example results table
Analysis of results
 When a charged object is brought near the plate of the electroscope, the leaf rises
o The negatively charged polythene rod repels electrons away from the surface of
the plate down the stem and leaf, giving them a negative charge, hence, they repel
o The positively charged acetate rod attracts electrons to the surface of the metal
plate from the stem and leaf, giving them a positive charge, hence, they repel
 When the charged object is moved away from the plate, the leaf falls
o Electrons in the electroscope are no longer repelled or attracted by the rod so they
redistribute themselves
o The stem and leaf become electrically neutral
 When a charged object touches the plate of the electroscope, the leaf stays risen
o The charge from the rod is transferred to the metal plate and travels down the
stem and leaf of the electroscope
o The stem and leaf therefore carry the same charge and repel each other
o The electroscope has been charged
 When a finger touches the plate, the leaf falls

o The charge from the electroscope is transferred to the person and travels to the
earth
o The stem and leaf become electrically neutral
o The electroscope has been discharged
Evaluating the experiment

 Make sure not to touch the ends of the rods once they have been charged (if the ends are
touched, the rods will discharge)
 When the electroscope is charged by contact with a rod, it should stay risen. If it doesn't,
repeat the process but ensure to press harder and draw the rod along the edge of the plate
Experimental demonstrations, such as the one above, are different from experiments in
which you have to take measurements. In the case of this demonstration your results
are your observations.
When describing a demonstration you should state a conclusion – in other words,

explain what you expect to happen and what it means.

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Demonstrating Electric

Charges (CIE IGCSE Physics)

 An example of this is a plastic or polythene rod being charged by rubbing it with a

Charging solids by friction

 When an uncharged cloth is rubbed against an uncharged

o Electrons are transferred away from the cloth

 The cloth has lost electrons so it becomes

 The polythene rod has gained electrons so it

o These oppositely charged objects are

 When an uncharged cloth is rubbed against an uncharged

o Electrons are transferred away from the acetate rod

 The cloth has gained electrons so it becomes

Demonstrating electrostatic charges

 The aim of this experiment is to investigate how insulating materials can be

 Independent variable = Rods of different material

Apparatus for investigating charging by friction

Example results table

 An acetate rod gains a positive charge when rubbed with a cloth

Transfer of electrons between charged insulators

Evaluating the experiment

Experiment 2: detecting charge using a gold-leaf electroscope

 Independent variable = Rods of different material

1. Before beginning the experiment, ensure the plate of the electroscope is

 When a finger touches the plate, the leaf falls

Evaluating the experiment

When describing a demonstration you should state a conclusion – in other words,

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