Triboelectric Series Using a Simple Charge Sign Checker

• Hina Morishige ^[2] ; Tetsuya Kato ^[1]
  1. [1] Chiba University

     Chiba University

     Chūō-ku, Japón

     
  2. [2] The United Graduate School of Education
• Localización: The Physics Teacher, ISSN 0031-921X, Vol. 60, Nº. 8, 2022, págs. 667-669
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Prompt determination of the positive or negative signs of charged objects promotes students’ understanding of electrostatics and motivates them to learn more about this field of physics. We developed a low-cost (about US$5) and easy-to-use device for checking the signs of the static charges in objects. It consists of two easy-to-build circuits, one for positive- and another for negative-charge detection. Both are composed of a metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), an LED indicator, a tactile switch (momentary contact switch), and a jumper wire. In this paper, we provide instruction on how to build this device. Junior high school students who used it successfully created a triboelectric series by testing various daily-life materials. A free-response questionnaire revealed that the device is highly useful for consolidating students’ understanding of static electricity.