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Robust Triboelectric Charging of Identical Balloons of Different Radii

Authors :
Vera, Francisco
Rivera, Rodrigo
Ortiz, Manuel
Horta-Rangel, Francisco Antonio
Source :
Physics Teacher. Apr 2022 60(4):246-247.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Electrification by rubbing different materials is a well-known phenomenon with a history that began more than five centuries B.C. ago. However, simple experiments can lead to contradictory or inconsistent results, and the history of this phenomena is plagued with non-intuitive results. For example, triboelectric charging by rubbing identical materials is possible. In this work we want to highlight some historical aspects of triboelectricity that could enrich the discussion of electrostatics in an undergraduate physics course. We will focus on the effect of strain on the triboelectric properties of a sample, which we think is not well known to physics teachers. We will show that it is possible to obtain robust polarities by rubbing identical rubber balloons of different radii and we will also show that this charging method can be very useful in introductory physics courses.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0031-921X
Volume :
60
Issue :
4
Database :
ERIC
Journal :
Physics Teacher
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
EJ1337977
Document Type :
Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0038084