Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am doing a static electricity experiment. In my experiment I rub different materials on an acrylic sheet and see how much static electricity I collected using a Leyden Jar. Do you have any tips that will make my experiment more successful?

Hi Homerunhitter,

This looks like a great project! Some pointers I would like to make... since you are using different materials on an acrylic sheet, try to get a great variety of materials, and better yet, have many trials for each material. Also, if you could control other possible variables, it would help your experiment. For example, maybe you could set a time for how long you would rub the materials. Also, a good amount of background research never hurts.

A website you may not need but that might be useful in outlining a procedure is: http://www.spartechsoftware.com/reeko/E ... parks2.htm

Also, something really important is remember to be safe! You are working with electricity, so please use necessary precautions, etc.

I hope that helps a little bit! If you need any further help later on, please ask!

Thank you! That really helped.
I am using four materials (cotton, wool, silk, nylon)would that enough variables to work with?
I plan on doing 3-6 trials. would this be enough data to get a good reading from?

Hi!
Just to echo the previous expert, try to get as many materials as possible and as many trials as possible per material! More data is always better in science, as it ensures a more accurate approximate of the true result. Do not stress if you can't find any more materials, then concentrate on doing more trials. If you are out of time, concentrate on more materials, although the best combination is the most possible of both! Have fun, and good luck!

I just did a test trial to make sure that the experiment worked. I used the static on my Tv screen. When I transfered it to the Leyden Jar I heard a spark. But when I trial to make a spark by touching it to an aluminum sheet, nothing happened. Do you have any tips to make a Leyden jar work better?

If the air is humid, the Leyden Jar will discharge on its own through the air fairly quickly. What is the relative humidity in your area? If you live in a damp climate, it will be harder to do these kinds of experiments.

How are you handling the aluminum plate? What kind of material are you standing on? There are all sorts of "leakage" pathways for charge to move through.

You might want to consider building an insulated platform to work on. Glass canning jars under a piece of plywood is one way to build an insulated platform that you can stand on to conduct your experiments without worrying about being in the discharge path.

Hi,

I just have one additional suggestion to add to Craig's excellent suggestions. Organic molecules, like fingerprints, can interfere with static electricity on Leyden jar experiments, so clean all surfaces with isopropanol to remove the trace organics. And, if you do live in a humid climate, just wait for a cold windy day to do your experiments. It’s not possible to get a Leyden jar to work well when it's foggy.

Donna Hardy