Al Can Lab

Static Electricity Lab Activity #2 - Aluminum Can Induction

Objective : Learn what charge polarization is

Multiple Choice

Bellwork : Which part of the atom can move the easiest?

• protons

• neutrons

• electrons

We will use 2 different charged rods, 1 positive and 1 negative.

**This shows what charge glass and rubber would typically hold after charging-by-friction.

Steps

Physics Simulation: Aluminum Can Polarization (physicsclassroom.com)

1] Select "glass rod" ( positive ) and "show charges" at the bottom of the sim. Bring glass rod close to the can, but don't touch the can.

2] Slowly bring the rod closer to the can, until it touches - repeat as needed.

**What is happening to the electrons in the can as you do this?

Multiple Choice

When the positively-charged glass rod is brought near the can, what happens to the negative charges in the can?

• negative charges in the can move away from the positive rod

• negative charges in the can move toward the positive rod

• negative charges in the can stay in place

Multiple Choice

As the glass rod is brought closer to the can, what happens to the negative charges in the can?

• negative charges in the can move away from the positive rod

• more negative charges move toward the positive rod and they get more concentrated

• negative charges in the can stay in place

Multiple Select

Why is the can attracted to the rod? [ select all that apply ]

• opposites attract

• negative charges in the can separate and are concentrated on the side near the positive rod

• the can seems to be negative to the rod

Steps

Physics Simulation: Aluminum Can Polarization (physicsclassroom.com)

3] Repeat with the rubber rod.

4] Slowly bring the rod closer to the can, until it touches - repeat as needed.

**What is happening to the electrons in the can as you do this?

Multiple Choice

When the negatively-charged rubber rod is brought near the can, what happens to the negative charges in the can?

• negative charges in the can move away from the negative rod

• negative charges in the can move toward the negative rod

• negative charges in the can stay in place

Multiple Choice

As the rubber rod is brought closer to the can, what happens to the negative charges in the can?

• more negative charges move away from the negative rod, getting more concentrated on the lower-half

• more negative charges move toward the negative rod, getting more concentrated in the upper-half

• negative charges in the can stay in place

Multiple Select

Why is the can attracted to the rod? [ select all that apply ]

• opposites attract

• negative charges in the can separate and are concentrated on the side away from the rubber rod

• the can seems to be positive to the rod

Steps

Physics Simulation: Aluminum Can Polarization (physicsclassroom.com)

5] Add both rods and keep them on separate sides of the can as you lower them. Lower them both gradually.

6] Try to get the can to stay in between the two rods.

**Does the can seem to be attracted to one of the rods more than the other?

Poll

Was it easy to make the can stay in between both rods?

• yes

• no

Poll

Did it seem like the can was attracted to one rod more than the other?

• yes

• no

Poll

Exit-Pass : Which rod did the can seem to be more attracted to?

• positive, glass rod

• negative, rubber rod

• neither, it was attracted to both rods the same