Q&A for How to Make an Electroscope

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Any ideas on why my electroscope does not work?

Janice Tieperman

Community Answer

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.

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Question

I'm doing an electroscope and I don't have the materials required! Please help. What do I do?

Janice Tieperman

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How does the electroscope measure electric charge?

Janice Tieperman

Community Answer

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.

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What if the jar has air in it?

Janice Tieperman

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do I discharge the electroscope by touching it with my finger?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can silver be used in an electroscope?

Community Answer

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

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Question

How can I tell if my electroscope is working?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Can I use a thinner copper wire?

Harry potter 2004

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do you know whether an electroscope is working or not?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

What type of wire should I use?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

How do I know which charge the object has?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

What can be used instead of a balloon?

Community Answer

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.

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Question

Can silver foil be used in an electroscope?

Community Answer

Yes, it can.

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Question

Why do I need to use aluminum foil and not plastic?

Community Answer

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

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Question

How much aluminum foil do I need to make an electroscope?

Community Answer

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

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Question

My electroscope is not working. Do you have any idea what the problem could be?

Community Answer

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

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Question

Why is thicker wire better when making an electroscope?

Community Answer

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.

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