-Electrostatics - Quantitative

["Bertel Keily","Riveros Yuri","Sierra Zhorieth","Suarez Maidy"]

Faculty of Sciences, Antonio Nariño University, Bogotá
Kbertel56@[Link], Yriveros47@[Link], zsierra80@[Link], msuarez27@[Link]
Summary

This report will show the procedure and the results obtained from the practice that we developed.
the topic to be evaluated was electrostatics, which was carried out through two experiments and different physical phenomena to
determine the types of charge that a body has and observe how they act in conductive materials
insulators. The transfer of charges will be examined through four different procedures.
friction and contact; where we will see triboelectricity and how we can discharge bodies in a
wet medium, and induction; where we will observe how a body can be charged by attracting its electrons
with an object of the opposite charge.

Palabras claves:electrostática, fricción, contacto, inducción.

Abstract
In this report we will show the procedure and the results obtained from the practice we developed. The topic
to be evaluated was electrostatics, which was done through two experiments and different physical
phenomena to determine the types of charge that a body has and observe how they act in conductive and
insulating materials. Four different procedures will be used to see how charge transfer occurs by friction and
contact; where we will see triboelectricity and how we can discharge bodies in a humid medium, and
induction; where we will observe how a body can be charged by attracting its electrons with an object of the
opposite charge.

Keywords:electrostatics, friction, contact, induction.

1. INTRODUCTION

Electricity encompasses a category of physical phenomena arising from the existence of electric charges.
by the interaction of the same. When an electric charge is stationary or static, it produces
electric forces on other charges located in the same region of space; when it is in motion
produces, moreover, magnetic effects.
The development of atomic theory allowed to clarify the origin and nature of electrical phenomena; the
the notion of electric fluid, introduced by Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) to explain electricity, was
It was precisely at the beginning when it was discovered that matter is composed of atoms, and these in turn are made up of particles.
that have electrical properties. [1]
In everyday life, there are various phenomena that allow us to experience electrostatics, for example: when
moment of combing our hair, rubbing objects against each other, among others. The action of electrostatics on objects
macroscopic effects can be produced by rubbing them when microscopically an object is charged when
it has a deficit or excess of charge carriers (the electrons), this effect will be studied in this practice
from the laboratory. For the first experiment with the help of wool fiber (positive charge), different ones are rubbed
Materials with negative charge, said contact generates an attractive force for small pieces of confetti.
which adhere to the material. On the other hand, in a second experiment, an instrument is used
called a stereoscope, which allows to detect if a body is electrically charged, when an object
when charged, it comes into contact with the disk or sphere, the leaves of the electroscope acquire the same charge.
potential that the charged object. The repulsion force that will exist between the sheets, due to the charges
identical, can be measured qualitatively by observing the deviation of the sheets. [6]

2. OBJECTIVES
2.1.1 General
●Study electrostatic phenomena experimentally by quantifying the redistribution of charge
through processes of friction, contact, and induction.
2.1.2 Specific
●Experimentally observe electrostatic phenomena of charge separation by
friction, contact charge and induced charge.
●Perform quantitative measurements of electrostatic phenomena of charge separation by
friction, contact charge and induction charge.
Construct explanations for the different electrostatic phenomena.

3. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Electrostatics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of electromagnetic phenomena where
electric charges are at rest, that is, where there are no charges in motion after it has
established a static equilibrium. The charge associated with the matter through which it produces and experiences an effect
Magnetic and electric is known as electric charge.
Electric charge is a property of elementary particles that manifests macroscopically by
the appearance of the electric force. For point charges, the force that appears is described by the law of
Coulomb
2
1
⃗ = 2
̂
Where, q1 and q2 are the point charges, r is the distance between them ̂and r is the vector that points in the direction
along the line where the two charges are located. It should be noted that the electrostatic force is a
vectorial magnitude, so its magnitude, as well as its direction and sense, must be found.
In macroscopic objects, a net charge can be produced if they are rubbed. Microscopically, a
An object is charged when it has a deficiency or excess of charge carriers. The charge carriers are more
Common are the electrons, which can be stripped from the atoms.
The process of supplying electric charge to a discharged object can be done in three different ways.
in the following way:
Triboelectric charging (friction charging): The phenomenon of friction charging occurs when materials
they are not only in contact, but also rub against each other. The material becomes positively or negatively charged and generates
static electricity [3]. Friction causes electrons to move out of place and the object that holds them with
more force gains more. The more electrons they gain, the more negative the charge is [4].
Charge by contact: Conduction occurs in a neutral object when a charged object is in contact.
with it. During conduction, the same charge is created in a neutral object. Electrons will be transferred from one
a negative object to a neutral object making it negative. Electrons will be attracted to a positive object
taking electrons from a neutral object making it positive [4].
Induction charge: Electrostatic induction is the physical phenomenon in which a material can become charged.
without any real contact with a charged body. When bringing two substances closer together, due to the property of
induction, a certain movement of charge carriers occurs from one object to another [5].

4. EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY
4.1 MATERIALS
The following elements are needed for the laboratory practice:
Faraday Bucket (Aluminum Cup).
2. Faraday cage (metal wire cage).
3. Base for cage and bucket (Green colored disc).
4. Two black alligator to alligator grounding cables.
5. Grounding plan (Flat metal sheet).
6. Electrostatic manila.
7. A test plan.
8. Two load separators (PVC and Nylon).
9. Electrostatic charge sensor.
10. Computer with available USB port or mobile device (smartphone, tablet, etc) with Vernier
Graphical Analysis. Download it here for Windows/macOS or in the corresponding store (AppStore /
Google Play) for your mobile device.
11. Laboratory Guide

Fig. 1: Electrostatic kit

 5. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
5.1 Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the charge separation experiment due to friction
To carry out this experiment, the Faraday cup and the charge sensor were set up as shown.
In figure 2. The electrostatic wristband was used on the wrist of the dominant hand of one of the participants.
from the group, a black alligator-to-alligator cable was then connected between the cage and the Faraday bucket and was
downloaded the load sensor by pressing and holding the Reset button on the sensor for some time
seconds. After rinsing with water and a cotton cloth the two separators to be used, we rub the
white and gray load separators together.
To start with data collection, we use the Vernier Graphical Analysis program; where from
unos ajustes de configuración se procedió a tomar los datos; primeramente se insertó el separador de carga
white in the inside of the bucket without touching it; we wait five seconds and then we remove it. Next
we wait another five seconds before inserting the gray load separator inside the bucket during
five seconds. After removing it, we wait two pairs of seconds, after finishing the count of the seconds.
We placed both charge separators inside the bucket; and after 5 seconds the collection stopped.
of data.
Considerations to take into account:
System 1: Separator
System 2:
System 3: + .
: System 1 + 2 + system 3

Fig. 2: Experimental setup for the charge separation procedure due to friction.

After carrying out the previously described procedure, we were able to analyze that, upon starting with the collection of
data, our graph showed that system 3 corresponds to the assembly of the Faraday cup plus the
The load sensor was charged at -0.4, which indicates that it had an excess of free electrons.
its interior was therefore negatively charged. Continuing with the procedure and after rubbing the
separators, we observe according to the graph that each separator showed a different load; this was confirmed by
insert the first white separator (nylon separator) which was positively charged according to what
we infer in figure 3.
What we believe happened was that when rubbing both spacers; the spacer that is made of nylon
previously positively charged, although it had a deficiency of free electrons, managed to make the electrons
free on the surface of system 3; they interacted with theirs establishing an attractive force due to
to their opposite charges; and through the product of this interaction, the free electrons of both systems
they moved to the inner surface of the bucket trying to counteract the opposing load; this
The movement of electrons according to our graph is approximately 0.7 nC. From this experiment
We highlight then an increase in the movement of the electrons of the system 1+3; it is also believed
firmly that between system 1 and 3, system 1 had a greater magnitude of charge, therefore it is easier for it.
that the electrons of the outer orbitals of the 3 system can be extracted with little effort; this is how
In the graph, we observe an initial increasing part towards the positive Y axis.
On the other hand, during the seconds of rest we understand that what happened was that the interaction was regulated.
of the electrons and the movement ceased because our system 1 acts as an inductive material of
charge (it is not a permanent charge) and when it is removed, it takes with it its own electrons and some free ones from
System 3 since our final load of the bucket differed from its initial load. This last mention regarding
the initial and final load of the bucket could also be explained as that at some point of the
immersion of the white separator created contact between the nylon and the bucket producing a
modification of the initial load of this last product of the electron flow that took place.
In the same vein and following the procedure; at the time of introducing system 2, which is the
gray separator made of PVC we see a decreasing area in figure 3 that indicates the load that
the system 2 is negative; therefore in this system we had an excess of electrons that to
moment of interacting with system 3 which also had an excess of electrons
it will cause a repulsion force between them, however, since the function of the sensor is to count how many
free electrons moved within the system 2+3 then a total negative charge was produced from the
excess of electrons in systems 2 and 3; therefore, the visible rate of descent in the graph occurs.
If the procedure were to be repeated, we would probably experience the same result because
the elements used (separators) by their composition material are predisposed to have a
loading can be either more positive or more negative. We can verify this with the laboratory guide in the part
from the tribological series where it shows us that nylon will always be taking on a greater positive load and
the PVC has a greater negative charge. It is worth noting that depending on the frictional force applied to it
each separator could be inferred to end up with many more or many fewer electrons in comparison to
this procedure carried out.
In the same vein, it is important to highlight that through this experiment we were able to demonstrate
experimentally the principle of conservation of charge since at the moment when the particles
they interact with each other there is a charge transfer (exchange of electrons) that ensures that this
do not be created and do not be destroyed.
On the other hand, when both charge separators were immersed together in the bucket; the generated charge
The total system came much closer to the final load of the bucket recorded after the contact that was generated.
with the white separator, so what probably happened in the system was a very
Electron levels with the last particles that still had both separators.
 Fig. 3: Graph obtained from the experiment of charge separation due to friction.
5.2 Quantitative and qualitative analysis of electrostatic discharge experiment of materials
study
The electric discharge experiment consisted of the release of the electrostatic charge from the materials that
they were being used in the previous practices, this is done in order to lighten the loads in each one of
systems 1 and 2, improving efficiency and verifying the effectiveness of the experiments. To do this, it was done
use of a damp cotton cloth, with which each of the systems was rubbed and through the kit of
Electrostatics confirmed that the discharge was successful.
But how does water affect the electrostatic medium to achieve neutrality? It turns out that each object
it presents a load of electrons that determines its charging capacity, this can be affected by different
factors and among them is humidity. These are related because "humidity is
a factor that has a direct influence on electric discharges or on various appearances
static electricity potentials." [7] The humidity found in the air or that which is induced like the
the wet cloth case generates a factor against. The load of the systems will attract the water molecules and
this is capable of dissolving hydrophilic substances, therefore when an ionic substance is found in
aqueous or solid medium, the electrostatic forces that hold their molecules together in a crystalline network are
they considerably weaken, which greatly favors the process of dissolution. In reality, the high
The value of the dielectric constant of water is nothing more than a consequence of its dipolar character.
5.3 Quantitative and qualitative analysis of static electricity experiment in the human body
This procedure demonstrates the amount of electrostatic charge that the human body can withstand.
to complete the process, the charging kit was used, with the following configuration:

Fig 4: Configuration of the Faraday cup and the charge sensor.

Considerations to take into account:
System 1: Separator ,
System 2:Separator grid made of PVC, negative charge.
System 3: + .
: System 1 + 2 + system 3

This configuration allows us to achieve the appropriate and expected results at the end of the process.
data collection is carried out with the Vernier Graphical Analysis program, which provides through
graphs of readings of the behavior of the electrons that are in system 3 and move toward
systems 1 and 2, the first with positive charge and the second with negative charge which imply a
deficiency or excess of electrons.

During the experiment, an accumulation of electric charge in the human body was observed due to the
friction generated by the two contact surfaces where according to the tribological series human skin has
positive charge. On the other hand, if the rubbing were done with a carpet, it would leave the neutral state in
the one that remains to transfer negative charges to our body where a part of the electrons of the
Surfaces are transferred, as a result the systems will remain loaded equally and with different signs, without
embargo, it is not a permanent burden.
On the other hand, these processes were determined by the use of an electrostatic wristband which fulfills the
function of protecting electrical components from static electricity discharges with which it charges
the human body. That is to say, these bracelets give our body the ability to unload us from
any type of electromagnetic energy and in turn blocks the charges directing them to the ground pole of the plane
making all the body's charge go to the ground.
The following graph demonstrates the procedure carried out and how the electrons attracted by the
human body in the experiment:
 Fig. 5: Graph obtained from the static electricity experiment in the human body

The behavior reflected in the graph is due to the action of the 'contact' between a charged finger.
electrostatically from 5 seconds after turning on the data collection where the electrons are seen
attracted and therefore the charge increases. The finger is withdrawn and the electrons spread out again as they were
originally and the load is low. Finally, charges are released in such a way that the person's finger touches the plane
to ground to release the electrons.
5.4 Quantitative and qualitative analysis of contact load experiment

Figure 6.(0) the data collection was carried out in the Graphical Analysis application without having any object.
introduced into the Faraday bucket, however, it is evident that it does not start at zero since it probably
the bucket did not discharge correctly and was negatively charged. (1) in this part of the graph
we insert the Nylon charge separator after rubbing it previously along with the charge separator of
PVC; an increase is evident in the graph as Nylon is positively charged due to its tendency.
by losing some of its electrons after being rubbed with another material (it is more positive in the series
triboelectric than PVC). (2) The Nylon separator was removed from the Faraday cup. (3) It was rubbed
slightly the load separator at the top of the bucket for a few seconds and increased the
positive charge since a transfer of charges occurs between the Nylon and the bucket made of aluminum
being Nylon more positive in the triboelectric series than Aluminum (4) It was removed and stopped rubbing the
Nylon separator of the bucket. (5) The PVC load separator was taken and introduced into the bucket.
Faraday (the most negative in the triboelectric series) tends to capture electrons when it comes into contact with
another material like Nylon, an attempt was made to neutralize the positive charge, which is why the graph is evident
it decreases, however, it did not reach our zero, given that the negative charge was not sufficient to
neutralize it, this could have happened because the PVC separator was left on the table while they were being done
the previous parts and there it could have given up electrons to the table and lost some of its negative charge
so it only reduced a part of the positive charge.
This experiment can evidence the principle of conservation of charge since the amounts of
positive and negative charge were conserved, neither destroyed nor created, there was only an exchange of
electrons due to the tendency of objects to gain or lose them through friction, being one
more positive in the triboelectric series than the other, charging either positively or negatively due to friction
both bodies. In other experiments, we will see how it is possible to reach zero by neutralizing the charges,
Given that in this experiment there was a problem with the PVC separator where possibly by leaving it
on the table it discharged giving up its electrons and losing its negative charge making it unable to
neutralize but lower the positive charge of the Nylon a little.
5.5 Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the induction load experiment

Fig. 7: Graph obtained from the static electricity experiment of charge by induction

As seen in figure 7, the first step is identified in the interval from 2 to 8 seconds.
where the nylon separator (positive charge) is inserted, generating a positive charge signal in the cylinder.
In second place, in the interval of 8 to 11 seconds, the second step is identified where it returns to
insert the nylon separator which has already transferred its initial load, therefore the graph in that interval
it approaches a nearly neutral charge. Following this, the Faraday cage is grounded, which according to the
Induction electrification allows the bucket to be charged oppositely to the element that is being
using (nylon separator).
In the last interval of 11 to 30 seconds, a negative charge is evident, which may be due to the
The cylinder was fully charged with negative charge after grounding; this is why even though
in the final step the separator is inserted again, no changes will be noticed in the load and for this reason, it
a constant line returns.
As mentioned earlier, the net load measured in the bucket at the end of the experiment is of load.
negative; since having the ground connection, this element will charge in the opposite way to
load separator that we were using. In our case, the nylon separator was used, which has a
positive charge for this reason the final charge of the bucket appears as negative charge; observing the graph we see that
it has an approximate value of -0.08 nC.
On the other hand, the approximate relationship of the load before making the grounding connection in comparison with the
The load after the connection has an approximate value of -0.09nC (-0.08-0.01) the values that make
reference to the final charge minus the initial charge. This reaction takes a negative value due to the interaction
what is had with the load separator used.
 6. CONCLUSIONES

Finally, we can conclude that materials produce electrostatic charge when coming into contact with each other.
through the interaction between the surfaces that compose it. Within the systems, a loss will occur and
gain of electrons, however, that moment will not be enduring.
If a material tends to lose some of its electrons when coming into contact with another, it is said to be more
positive in the triboelectric series. If a material tends to capture electrons when it comes into contact with another
material, this will be more negative in the triboelectric series, this will depend on the composition of the object and the
electronegativity or electropositivity of the elements that compose it, it will be easier to determine if
it will be charged positively or negatively.
It could be determined that when there is friction between objects, the charge is transferred from one body to another, one of the
bodies acquire more positive charge and the other more negative charge. This also leads us to determine that
Objects with like charges repel each other, while objects with different charges attract each other.
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