electrostatics lab

This lab is one of the most popular for obvious reasons! In it, students will investigate static charges on balloons, an electroscope, and the Van de Graaff generator. This is a straight-forward lab, but some teacher set-up time is needed. Teachers will need to provide a Van de Graaff generator, an electroscope, and enough balloons and tissue paper for each student. Make sure that none of the students are allergic to latex and use cheap tissue paper, the kind without any lotion if possible. Also, clean the Van de Graaff dome with alcohol before use to get the best effects possible.