Electrostatic induction with an electroscope

Principle

The students apply their knowledge of electrostatic induction to the electroscope. They recognize why a pointer deflection can appear even as a charged object approaches the electroscope. They can explain the series of events in the electroscope.

Benefits

• Quick and easy experiment for qualitatively understanding of electrostatic phenomena

Tasks

Why does the electroscope pointer deflect even without contact? Investigate how the electroscope's pointer reacts when you move an electrically charged object towards the electroscope's body.