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PhET Lab Exploring Electric Charges (Digital) (1)

The document outlines an online lab for exploring electrostatic interactions using simulations, specifically focusing on the 'Balloons and Static Electricity' and 'John Travoltage' simulations. It provides step-by-step instructions for conducting experiments to observe how charges are transferred through friction and the behavior of charged objects. The document emphasizes understanding the principles of static electricity through interactive learning experiences.

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davidfuerte92
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18 views

PhET Lab Exploring Electric Charges (Digital) (1)

The document outlines an online lab for exploring electrostatic interactions using simulations, specifically focusing on the 'Balloons and Static Electricity' and 'John Travoltage' simulations. It provides step-by-step instructions for conducting experiments to observe how charges are transferred through friction and the behavior of charged objects. The document emphasizes understanding the principles of static electricity through interactive learning experiences.

Uploaded by

davidfuerte92
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Exploring Electric Charges

PURPOSE: USE SIMULATIONS TO EXPLORE ELECTROSTATIC INTERACTIONS


In this online lab you will use simulations to check your knowledge regarding electrostatic interactions.

Balloons and Static Electricity Simulation

To interactively explore some of the concepts you have learned so far please go to the Physics Education
Technology Web site (http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/new). We will start with the
Balloons and Static Electricity simulation, found under Physics -> Electricity, Magnets and Circuits.

The image on the webpage should look


like the one on the left.

The simulation “Balloons and Static


Electricity” can be run online (chose
“Run now”) or downloaded and runs
on your own computer (choose
“Download”).

Once your application has started, click


“Reset All”. Make sure that only the
“show all charges” and “wall” buttons
are selected.

1) Look at the balloon. What can you say about its charge? (Hint: count both types of charges)

there are both positevs and negatives together

2) Click and drag the balloon and rub it against the sweater. What happens to the balloon?

the balloon collected negative charges on the seater now ehen there is negative and negative they touch

3) How did the balloon get charged, with what type of charge?

friction

4) Where did that charge come from?

the balloon rubing

5) What happened to the sweater? How did it get charged?

by the ballon rubbing against it

6) Bring the balloon in the middle, between the sweater and the wall. What happens to the
balloon when you let it go? Explain.

it goes to the sweater


7) What is the overall charge of the wall?

both positiev and negative

8) What do you think will happen when the balloon is brought close to the wall? Predict first.

the negative charges go away from it

9) Bring the balloon in contact with the wall. What happens to the charges in the wall?

the negative charge spreads out

10) Let go of the balloon. What happens? Explain.

it stays there on the wall

11) Click the “Reset All” button. Select “show all charges”, and “Two balloons”. What can you tell
about the overall charge of all the objects in your simulation window?

alot of positive and negative charges

12) Select “Show charge differences”. Rub each balloon against the sweater. What happens to each
one of them?

they are both stuck to the sweater

13) Why are the two balloons stuck on the sweater?

becasue they both have negative charges

14) Try to get one balloon off the sweater by using the other balloon. Can you do it? If yes, explain
why this is possible.

i cant do it
Go back to your web browser window and from the simulations under Physics -> Electricity, Magnets
and Circuits, select “John Travoltage”.

1) Predict what will happen to John if he rubs his foot against the carpet.

he will get a static electric charge

2) Rub John’s foot on the carpet by clicking and dragging his foot few times. What happens?

he gets a negative charge running through his body

3) Predict what will happen if John touches the door knob.

it will make a shok

4) Click and drag John’s hand such that it touched the doorknob. What happened?

the static electric charge went through his body in into the door knob

5) What would you call what happened to John?

the passing of electricity

6) How is this different from the balloon and sweater or balloon and wall touching each other?

becasue the ballons get the negative chareg and come back to the swater while john get the charge bu then the charge can just flow bac

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