Try It
Review the following simulations:
- Electric Field Line Simulator (Academo)
- Electric Charges and Fields (PhET)
Complete the following hands-on Try It. You will need 2 pieces of clear plastic tape each about 5 cm long.
Procedure:
- Bend the last cm of each piece of tape onto itself to make a small “handle.”
- Place both pieces of tape, sticky side down, side by side on your desk or table and press.
- Using the handles, pull the pieces of tape off of the table top and bring them close to one another. What happens?
- Allow the two pieces of tape to touch on the non-sticky side. Allow them to come close to each other after touching. Do they still repel one another?
- Next, place one piece of tape face down onto the table top and press it to the table.
- Place the second piece of tape sticky side down on top of the first tape so the first tape is stuck to the table, and the second tape is stuck to the first.
- Using the handles, quickly pull both pieces of tape off of the table.
- Holding the separate handles, quickly pull the pieces of tape apart. Now bring the two pieces of tape close together. What happens?