Physics - Principles - Electrostatics

In this MEL Academy lesson your children will:

-learn what charge is -make Static flyer -discover the power of static charge

Lesson time

5:00am	PST	(San Francisco, Seattle, ...)
6:00am	MST	(Phoenix, Denver, ...)
7:00am	CST	(Chicago, Houston, ...)
8:00am	EST	(New York, Toronto, ...)
1:00pm	GMT	(London, ...)

Lesson duration: 45-55 minutes.

Prepare in advance

In this lesson, we will conduct several DIY experiments. Prepare in advance household materials shown below.

  PVC tube 45cm+ (Super important)
  Paper hand towel
  Empty dry plastic 330ml drinks bottle with lid
  Long pencil
  3 x Balloons
  Cotton towel / t-shirt (clean and dry) or wool jumper
  Aluminium foil
  2 x small empty clean dry pop cans (save ring pulls)
  Tall plastic disposable drinks cup
  Plastic card or tray or dish (approx 10cm in diameter)
  Darning thread
  Plastic straw
  Glue or sellotape
  Polyester cloth dry
  Small Aluminium pie tins (max 5cm diameter)
  Small fluorescent tube (optional)
  Small very cheap, very thin plastic bag
  Scissors

Worksheet

Please, download and print this worksheet in advance. You’ll need to refer to it during the lesson.

Tutor

This lesson is presented by Daniel Sullivan:

Daniel Sullivan is a hugely enthusiastic and experienced ex-head of science with over 20 years of teaching experience. He is now running a science teacher training company and is looking forward to engaging with students once again.