Demonstrating and Calculating Electrostatic Forces

Begin with the classic static electricity demonstrations: the behavior of charged balloons and metal leaves of an electroscope. Then move on to test the electrical conductivity of various materials. Give physics pupils a charge with...

Shock viewers with this video clip about static electricity! Bill Nye sports a wacky wig and explains how electrons get stored up on the surface of a Van de Graff generator and then jump onto a metal ball. If you do not have your own Van...

Ready to have an a-MAZE-ing time teaching electrostatics? Introduce physical science superstars to an engaging resource that tests their knowledge of attractive and repulsive forces. Pupils change the charge of a ball to guide it through...

Slide paper over a plastic straws to generate static electricity, and then stick that straw to glass, a wall, or even your own hands! This is a science activity that students can use to show parents what they learn in school whenever...

Like all electricity, static electricity flows at the speed of light, or 186,282 miles/second. The interactive simulation shows how like charges repel like charges and opposites attract. The user can choose either one or two balloons, a...

Can you get the puck into the goal using only electric charges on the ice? Scholars experiment with electrostatic forces as they determine which charges pull the puck and which repel it. Multiple levels reinforce different related...

Looking for a quick way to supercharge your electricity and magnetism unit? Assign a very responsive interactive designed to illustrate the relationship between charge, electric field, and the resulting forces. Learners experiment with...

Finally, a helpful tool for modeling electric fields! Young physicists explore the unseen world of magnetism via a simple interactive. Individuals move a charged object around a stationary object and see the strength and directions of...

What a wonderful way to explore motion and forces! Learners design a catapult, after watching a video and discussing types of catapults. This is a comprehensive and complete instructional activity with links to supplementary resources.

How do you help your pupils understand the relationship between energy and forces? The video tackles standard PS3C using a concept map and demonstrations. The narrator also provides key vocabulary scholars should master at each grade level.