®
ES-9080B
012-07227G
Basic Electrostatics System
13
Demonstration 1: Faraday Ice Pail and Charge Production
Suggestions for Introducing the Experiment
Start by showing that the electrometer is directly measuring potential difference by
connecting a battery to it and measuring its voltage. You can explain that when using the ice
pail, you will be only indirectly measuring charge, knowing that the amount of charge is
proportional to the voltage. The readings will be in volts, not in coulombs. Change the
polarity of the leads to show how the meter light emitting diode (LED) deflects in the
opposite direction. Explain how this can tell us the type of charge in the ice pail.
Equipment Setup
Introduction
The purpose of this demonstration is to investigate the relation between the charge induced
on the ice pail by a charged object placed in the pail, and the charge of the object. This
demonstration is also useful for investigating the nature of charging an object by contact as
compared to charging it by induction, and to demonstrate the conservation of charge.
Equipment Required:
Electrometer (ES-9078A)
Faraday Ice Pail (ES-9042A)
Charge Producers (ES-9057B)
Signal Input Cable (test leads)
Earth ground connection
Proof plane (optional)
Figure 1.1: Demonstration Setup
Electrometer
Earth
ground
Proof plane
Black
clip
(to
shield)
Red
clip
(to
pail)
Pail
Shield
Range
select
ON/
OFF
ZERO
button
Digits
display
Meter
display
Faraday Ice Pail
Signal
Input cable