Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I'm trying to do: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... #materials for my science experiment project, but I can't get the ball to separate from the pie pan when I charge the Styrofoam plate and put it under the pan... might there be something I'm doing wrong?

Hello ProjectEmerald,

You might try adjusting your electroscope set-up to get it working. Here are some suggestions.

1. The foil ball should just touch the edge of the aluminum plate. You might check to make sure the ball properly adjusted.

2. The foil ball might be too heavy. You might try a smaller foil ball.

3. The styrofoam plate doesn't have enough static charge. You might try again or try a different way to charge it.

4. The styrofoam plate lost its charge. Make sure the styrofoam doesn't touch anything metal other than the aluminum plate.

I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.

A. Norman

Thanks! I'll try again