Adapted from physicsclassroom.com and Physics Laboratory

Name:

Lab Activity

Sticky Interactions

Question- What are the three types of charge interactions? What is the charge on an object?

In this lab, we will separate electric charges using friction to give objects a net static charge (positive or negative). In this process, electrons migrate from the surface of one material to the surface of the other. Upon separation of the two surfaces, one surface loses electrons and becomes positively charged. The other surface gains electrons and becomes negatively charged.

Adapted from physicsclassroom.com and Physics Laboratory

Materials – scotch tape, ring stand, bits of paper

Adapted from physicsclassroom.com and Physics Laboratory

Procedure - / Observations - / Conclusions -
1. Obtain a piece of sticky tape about 10 cm long. Make a “handle” on both ends by folding a bit of the edge over.
2. Charge the tape: Press the tape down onto the tabletop. Then quickly pull the tape off the surface and hang it onto a support.
Bring objects towards it, like your finger or pen.
3. Repeat the charging of tape with another piece of tape. Bring this second piece of tape near the first.
4. Take one of the charged strips of tape and hold it near some bits of paper sitting on the table. / 2. Describe the behavior of the tape as you bring objects near it.
3. Describe the behavior of the tapes as you bring them close to one another.
4. Describe the behavior of the bits of paper. / 3. Do the two pieces of tape have the same charge? How do you know?
4. Do the bits of paper have charge? How do you know?

Adapted from physicsclassroom.com and Physics Laboratory

5. Take two new pieces of tape. For one piece, fold an end over in the shape of a triangle. For the other, fold the end over in the shape of a rectangle.
6. Press the “rectangle” piece onto the table top. Press and rub the “triangle” piece on top of the rectangle piece.
Pull the tapes together off the table and then quickly pull them apart.
Hang the rectangle piece from a support and hold the triangle piece near it. Make another set of triangle, rectangle pieces of tape and hold them near the others.
7. Hold the triangle and rectangle pieces of tape near the bits of paper sitting on the table.
8. Set the triangle and rectangle pieces of paper back on the support. Next, blow up a balloon and rub the balloon on your hair or wool. Hold the balloon near the triangle and rectangle pieces of tape. / 6. Describe the behavior of the pieces of tape.
Describe what the behaviors when the pieces of tape interact
7. Describe the behavior of the bits of paper with each type of tape.
8. Describe the behavior of the pieces of tape. / 6. Do the triangle and rectangle pieces of paper have the same charge? How do you know?
7. Does the paper have only one charge? How do you know?
8. When a balloon is rubbed with wool, the balloon is known to become negatively charged. Given this and your observations and previous conclusions, what is the type of charge on the triangle and rectangle piece of tape?

Answer: What are the three types of charge interactions?

Claim: The charge on the triangle piece of tape is…

The charge on the rectangle piece of tape is…

Evidence: I know this because …..

Reasoning: This makes sense because …..