Computer interfaced electrostatic charge sensors1,2 allow both qualitative and quantitative measurements of electrostatic charge but are quite sensitive to charges accumulating on modern synthetic materials. They need to be used with care so that students can correctly interpret their measurements. This paper describes the operation of the sensors, precautions for using them, and suggestions for experiments with sample readings.3
REFERENCES
1.
Charge Sensor CRG-BTA, Vernier Software & Technology, 13979 S. W. Millikan Way, Beaverton, OR 97005; http://www.vernier.com.
2.
Charge Sensor PS-2132, PASCO scientific, PO Box 619011, 10101 Foothills Blvd., Roseville, CA 95678; http://www.pasco.com.
3.
Sample readings were made using the Vernier Charge Sensor and LoggerPro software, and using a ground plane and soup can detector as described.
4.
Robert A. Morse, Teaching About Electrostatics (AAPT, College Park, MD, 1992), pp. 3–25.
5.
Dielectric constants table; http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/tables/diel.html.
6.
Ref. 4, pp. 3–9.
7.
John W.
Layman
and Delbert J.
Rutledge
, “Neon lamps and static electricity
,” Phys. Teach.
10
, 49
(Jan. 1972
).
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© 2006 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2006
American Association of Physics Teachers
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