MIT Physics Demo -- Rubber and Glass Rods with Tinsel and Balloon

A plexiglass rod rubbed with fur picks up a positive electric charge, while a rubber rod rubbed with fur picks up a negative electric charge. When either rod is brought in contact with hanging tinsel, the tinsel becomes charged and flares out. The other rod, however, will now attract the tinsel. Touching the tinsel with your hand discharges it.

These electrostatic forces can also be seen with a conducting balloon. Touching a charged rod to the balloon transfers charge, causing the balloon to be repelled away from the rod.

The ancient Greeks noticed this phenomenon when rubbing pieces of amber (which pick up a negative electric charge, like our rubber rod). The word "electricity" is based on the Greek name for amber: "elektron."

Watch the original video on MIT TechTV - http://techtv.mit.edu/videos/1630-rubber-and-glass-rods-with-tinsel-and-balloon

Category:

Education

Tags:

• mit mittechtv physics
• demo
• demonstration
• mit
• college
• university
• charge
• electro
• electorstatic
• force
• positive
• negative
• introductory
• electromagnetism
• 8.02
• balloon
• rod
• repel
• attract

[GeneDunno]

needs more cowbell.

[youngnewtonian]

beautiful demonstration.. .A very similar demonstration was given by Professor Walter Levin in one of his lectures. The vid of that lecture is available here on youtube.

[nwahslovesrehtse]

I want to try this demo out but i can't find tinsel. Would it work with christmas wrapping if i cut them into small strands like those shown in the video?

[exion3560]

@cast390 This is how you apply the concept simply. You twit

[cast390]

WOW $12,000,000 a semester to play with static electricity.....AMAZING

[MrCerialKiller]

wool... maybe??? still need help fast??

[TheTempestSpark]

@GeneDunno lol Bruce Dickinson would be proud of you!

[Chippychops7]

bahaha

[nicayat]

other subs for the rabbit hair? help need it fast ...????

[Alyssa71808]

if there was music it would have boring more willing to watch, but cool non the less