levitation using static electricity

levitation using static electricity

introduction:

static electricity was discovered in Greece in 600 BC by a mathematician named named Thales. He discovered it by rubbing amber against animal fur and found that it created a type of charge that could attract light objects or if strong enough produce a shock. through out the year it has been adapted to harnes small amounts of power.

materials:

the materials needed for this experiment is a Fun-Fly-Stick

procedure:

attach the end of tube to the shaft of the handle. pick one of the aluminum pieces from the folder. press the button on the stick and drop the aluminum piece over the tube of the stick and watch it levitate.

scientific principles:

Static electricity requires a separation of positive charges (protons) and negative charges (electrons). When two materials are in contact, electrons move from one material to the other, which leaves a positive charge on one material, and an equal negative charge on the other. When the materials are separated they retain this charge imbalance creating static electricity. Static electricity can be represented by the following formula.

F = k (q₁ X q₂) / d²

where F is the force, q₁ and q₂ are the charges, and d is the distance between the charges. k is the proportionality constant, and depends on the material separating the charges

safety regulations: possible shock can result form doing this project