Electrostatics

Learn about electrostatic equilibrium and Coulomb’s Law with this lab featuring charged parallel plates and pith balls charged with the help of a wily feline.

Topics and Objectives:

• Determine the charge on a pith ball acting as a pendulum.
• See what happens to the charged pith balls in a uniform electric field.
• Figure out the magnitude of the electric field and the potential difference between the plates.

Activities:

• Coulomb’s Law Lab – Student Version (PDF)
• Between Parallel Plates Lab – Student Version (PDF)

Support:

• Electrostatics – User’s Guide (PDF)