Class objective
Learn the principles of static electricity and how to make simple instruments.
Class description
The class brings together the science contributions of three historical figures in the late 1700s. It seems like a strange grouping, putting the ruler of Great Britain together with an outstanding English scientist and one of the foremost rebels of the American Revolution. But this period of time saw electrical science soar from the plateau that reached back to the ancient Greeks, and set the stage for the 19th century explosion of inventions.
Ben Franklin, although generally accepted as a brilliant inventor, was also the leader in the Western world in the development of electrical engineering basics. At this same time, his outstanding counterpart in London was Michael Faraday,
The students learn about static electricity, going back to the
days of the Greek scientists and tribo-electricity (creating
electricity by rubbing, e.g., cat's fur on amber), and progressing
to Michael Faraday's monumental discoveries. Each student builds
an electroscope (thin metal plates that move apart to detect charge);
a Leyden jar (the predecessor of the modern capacitor, which stores
charge), and an electrophorus, to generate charge by tribo-electric
action. The student will take home each experiment that is built.
Instructor:Ri-Chee Chou, Managing Engineer, Exponent Inc.
Dr. Chou has also served as a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering
at Ohio State University.
Age range: 10 to 14
Maximum class size: 15 students
Bibliography
Related web sites
Introductory page to Electrostatics experiments. Includes many links,
shows how to build static charge generators and a Leyden jar.
Exploratorium Many projects shown, with building
instructions.
Future Scientists and
Engineers of America Non-profit, many projects. Kits available.
Electrostatic Machines
Extensive listing of electrostatic generators of all sorts. Complete
with links to show pictures and construction details.
VandeGraff Electrostatic Generator
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Rebuilding the Womshurst Electrostatic Machine Particularly
helpful in giving working details and discussing the refurbishing of a machine.
Recommended reading
Electrostatics: Exploring, Controlling and Using Static Electricity: A. D. Moore & J. M. Crowley
LaPlacian Press, Dec, 1997: ISBN 1885540043
Registration must be completed 2 weeks prior to start of class.
