Two Electroscopes: Qualitative Testing Experiment

Aim

To test the model of how an electroscope works, and your model of conductors and dielectrics.

Prior Knowledge

1. Electric Charge
2. Conductors and dielectrics
3. Electroscope

Description of the Experiment

1. Predict what will happen if you first touch an electroscope with a foam rod rubbed with fur and then connect the electroscope to another electroscope with a wooden rod. The second electroscope was not touched by anything before.
2. Predict what will happen if you first touch an electroscope with a foam rod rubbed with fur and then connect the electroscope to another electroscope with a metal rod. The second electroscope was not touched by anything before.
3. Predict what will happen if you now touch the second electroscope with your finger and then connect it to the first electroscope again. Explain clearly why you made these predictions.

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Questions

1. Explain the part of the experiment with the wooden rod.
2. Explain the part of the experiment with the metal rod.
3. Do these experiments support the idea that there are materials in which electric charges can move and there are materials in which electric charges cannot move? Explain your answer.