The Physics Classroom » Lesson Plans » Algebra Based Physics » Static Electricity

Static Electricity

The lesson plans below include links to the specific resources on our website.

Teacher Guides for labs can be found here.

NOTE: All CalcPad problem sets are customized problem sets created specifically for this course. The links direct users to the Guest version. Task Tracker users should use the link on the Task Tracker page to the trackable CalcPad version.  

Day 1 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce Unit; discuss Charge
    The atom; proton, electron, and neutron (charge and location of each); p+s are tightly bound; e-s can be added and removed from an atom; balanced vs. unbalanced charge; calculating Q (quantity of charge) of an object
  2. Pair Practice: Charge Think Sheet
  3. Lab 1: Action at a Distance
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 1, Parts a and b
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission SE1 on Charges and Atoms



 

Day 2 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Charge Interactions; demonstrations (balloons), relate to Lab 1 findings; use Charge Interactions Think Sheet
  2. Concept Builder: Charge and Charging
  3. Concept Builder: Getting the Hang of Charge
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 1, Part c
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission SE2 on Interactions Between Charged Objects


 

Day 3 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Triboelectric Charging
    Method, result, explanation in terms of e- movement; relative e- affinity; demonstrations
  2. Pair Practice: Triboelectric Charging Think Sheet
  3. Lab 2: Sticky Tape Experiments
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 2, Part a
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission SE3 on Triboelectric Charging



 

Day 4 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Review: triboelectric charging; post-lab Lab 2
  2. Discuss Insulators, Conductors, Polarization
  3. Pair Practice: Insulators, Conductors, and Polarization Think Sheet
  4. Concept Builder: Triboelectric Charging
  5. If time allows: Concept Builder: Conductors and Insulators

Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 1, Parts d and e




 

Day 5 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Physics Interactives: Aluminum Can Polarization with Student Activity Sheet
    Do and process; follow up with a Concept Checker
  2. Concept Builder: Conductors and Insulators
  3. Concept Builder: Polarization

Homework/Announcements
  1. Complete all work not finished during class




 

Day 6 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Charging by Conduction
    Method, result, explanation in terms of e- movement; demonstrations
  2. Discuss Grounding
    Method, result, explanation in terms of e- movement; demonstrations
  3. Pair Practice: Charging by Conduction and Grounding Think Sheet
  4. If time allows, start Minds On Physics: Mission SE4 on Charging by Contact and the Grounding Process
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 2, Parts c and d
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission SE4 on Charging by Contact and the Grounding Process




 

Day 7 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 3: Pop Can Induction
  2. Post-lab and discuss charging by induction
    Method, result, explanation in terms of e- movement; demonstrations
  3. Pair Practice: Charging by Induction Think Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 2, Part b
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission SE5 on Charging by Induction - Pop Can Induction




 

Day 8 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Charging by Induction; more demonstrations/discussion
  2. Lab 4: Charging by Induction
    Do and post-lab
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission SE7 on Charging by Induction - Electrophorus Plate
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Minds On Physics: Mission SE7 on Charging by Induction - Electrophorus Plate (if not completed in class)
  2. Concept Builder: Charging by Induction (Apprentice Level only)




 

Day 9 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce Coulomb's Law
    Review charge interactions; action at a distance; equation, proportionalities, proportionality constant (k); do problems #1-10 from Coulomb's Law Think Sheet
  2. Review all three charging methods: triboelectric charging ("friction"), conduction, induction
  3. Physics Interactives: Name That Charge
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 3, Parts a and b
  2. If not completed in class, finish Name That Charge


 

Day 10 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Coulomb's Law; finish Coulomb's Law Think Sheet
  2. Concept Builder: Coulomb's Law
  3. CalcPad - Static Electricity 1: Coulomb's Law
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 4, Parts a and b
  2. Finish CalcPad - Static Electricity 1: Coulomb's Law (if not done in class)



 

Day 11 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Electric Field Strength (E)
    Action at a distance, variables affecting E; equations; units, test charge vs. source charge
  2. Pair Practice: Electric Field Think Sheet
  3. Concept Builder: Electric Field Intensity
  4. If time allows: Physics Interactives: Electric Field Hockey (with built-in Task Tracking)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad - Static Electricity 2: Electric Field Strength


 

Day 12 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
  1. Physics Interactives: Electric Field Lines with Student Activity Sheet
    Do and process
  2. Pair Practice: Electric Field Lines Think Sheet
  3. Electric Field Lines Concept Checker
  4. If time allows: Physics Interactives: Electric Field Hockey
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Static Electricity: Lesson 4, Part c
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission SE12 on Electric Field Lines




 

Day 13 of Static Electricity

Lesson Plan
Review day: this is a chance for students to process ideas, work independently or together, and prepare for exam. Suggested online review activities include:
 
  1. Concept Builder: Electric Field
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission SE6 on Charging by Induction - a Single Sphere
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission SE8 on Coulomb's Law Equation as a Guide to Thinking
  4. Minds On Physics: Mission SE10 on Electric Field
  5. Minds On Physics: Mission SE11 on Electric Field Equation
  6. Physics Interactives: Charging with Concept Checker
  7. Physics Interactives: Coulomb's Law with Concept Checker
  8. CalcPad - Static Electricity 3: Review
  9. The Review Session - Static Electricity

​NOTE: The above assignments are intended as optional review assignments and not required assignments.

Homework/Announcements
  1. Prepare for Tomorrow's Test
  2. Complete all unfinished work