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Gold Leaf Electroscope 1

The gold leaf electroscope is a device used to detect electric charge, developed by Abraham Bennet in 1787. The document outlines the materials needed and a step-by-step procedure to construct the electroscope, emphasizing the importance of dry conditions for the experiment. It also suggests additional experiments to test various materials for static charge interaction with the electroscope.

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12 views2 pages

Gold Leaf Electroscope 1

The gold leaf electroscope is a device used to detect electric charge, developed by Abraham Bennet in 1787. The document outlines the materials needed and a step-by-step procedure to construct the electroscope, emphasizing the importance of dry conditions for the experiment. It also suggests additional experiments to test various materials for static charge interaction with the electroscope.

Uploaded by

bee57690
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GOLD LEAF ELECTROSCOPE

Electroscope is a simple device which is used to test the presence of charge in an


object. The first electroscope was a pivoted needle (called the versorium), invented by
British physician William Gilbert around 1600. The gold-leaf electroscope was
developed in 1787 by a British scientist named Abraham Bennet. Gold and silver
are among the best conductors of electric current and hence leaves of these metals are
used in Electroscope.

Materials

 Clear glass jar


 Jar lid or piece of plastic large enough to cover the opening of the jar
 Electrical tape
 Copper wire, 14g or thicker
 Straw
 Scissors
 Glue gun
 Aluminum foil or gold leaf
 Vinyl record
 Rubber soled shoe
 Carpet
 Balloon
 Any other material you want to test!

Procedure:

1. Perform this experiment on a dry day! The experiment might not work if it is
humid or raining. Why do you think this is important?
2. Use the scissors to cut a two-inch long piece of straw.
3. Have an adult punch a hole through the center of the jar lid or piece of plastic big
enough to fit the straw through.
4. Insert the straw into the hole for your lid. Hot glue the straw so it is securely
fastened to the lid.
5. Cut a 10-inch piece of copper wire.
6. Twist the top 4 inches into a circle or spiral to create some surface area. If we’re
trying to test the presence of an electric charge, why do you think having a larger
surface area better? Why is thicker wire better?
7. Insert the straight end of the wire through the straw and create a hook about 1
inch long.
8. Hang two small pieces of foil or gold leaf on the hook. Make sure they are in
contact. Why do you think we’re using two pieces of metal as opposed to one?
What do you think the two pieces of metal are there to do?
9. Place the hooked end of the metal into the jar and twist on or tape the lid to the
jar.
10. Now it’s time to give our materials a static charge! Rub each of your materials
vigorously with your hand or a piece of wool. Can you explain how this helps give
each object an electric charge?
11. After you give each of your objects a charge, bring each object near the coiled
wire on your electroscope. Be sure to record your observations!

Extra:

 Try rubbing the balloon on your hair.


 Try rubbing your shoes on the carpet and then bring the electroscope close to
the sole of your shoe.
 Rub the vinyl with your hands.
Group #
Members:

Answer:

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