Q&A for How to Make an Electroscope

You might be testing your electroscope in a humid area. Moisture in the air balances out static electricity charges, which will prevent your electroscope from detecting static electricity. You might also be testing an item that doesn't store static electricity very well—try charging a piece of styrofoam and see what happens.

There are lots of simple replacements you can use for your electroscope that you can easily find around your home. Switch out copper wire with a piece of a metal coat hanger, cut out a circle of cardboard if you don't have a plastic lid, and use any old plastic jar you have lying around if you don't have a glass one available.

An electroscope doesn't actually measure electric charges—it just detects them. Some people tape a protractor template to the inside of their electroscope to get an idea of how strong the electrical charge is, though.

Just make sure that you're using the electroscope in a dry area. As long as the air is dry (and not humid), your electroscope should work.

All the charge transfers to your body when you touch it. After it transfers, it disperses.

Silver is not so inert, it will react with sulfur compounds and oxygen in the air.

If the aluminum foil is moving, it means that the electroscope is working. If not, check if there is air in the jar.

Yes, but it must be a conductor. The charge must travel to the leaves and accumulate there. If you use an insulator, the charge will accumulate in the specific place, thus giving no results.

Produce static electricity in any way, like rubbing a balloon on your clothes or rubbing a ruler with paper, and put it near the electroscope. If the foil triangles in Method 1 or the foil ball in Method 2 moves, that means it's working.

Copper wire is the best choice, and it can usually be purchased at any hardware store. 14 gauge is recommended, but 12 gauge works fine.

Grab a nail, a battery and some copper wiring. Loop the wiring around the nail several times to create a coil. Connect both ends to opposite poles of the battery and hold your newly created electromagnet with your right hand. Stick your thumb up. If the object is attracted to the tip of your thumb, it has negative charge. If it is repelled by it, it has positive charge. Keep in mind that since the objects don't hold a lot of charge, their movement may be subtle.

Woolen cloth for negative charge, silk cloth for positive charge. Rub them in a glass rod to transfer heat. Then before the heat gets cool, keep it on the electroscope.

Yes, it can.

Aluminium foil is a conductor, and plastic is not. A conductor allows the flow of charges.

Just one sheet will do fine. You don't need a lot of foil to do this experiment.

Check if there is air inside. If there is, remove it and try again.

Thicker wire is better because it measures more accurately. You can use thin wire if you don't want it to be too strong but the thicker wire is a better idea.