Static Electricity Explorer
Use electroscope and charge-interaction scenes to reason through charging, induction, earthing, sparks, and field patterns.
Learning goals
- state that there are positive and negative charges and that charge is measured in coulombs
- state that unlike charges attract and like charges repel
- Describe an electric field as a region where charge experiences force
- Recall that the field lines of an isolated point charge give the direction of the force on a positive test charge
- Draw the directed electric field of an isolated point charge
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Change one variable at a time and watch the model respond.
Fallback controls & settings
Use the controls inside the scene first. These mirrored controls stay in sync and are here for keyboard access, precise adjustments, and resetting the setup.
Practice run
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Observation logCompare what changed0 saved
Change one variable, save another reading, then compare the evidence.
Scroll sideways to compare readings.
Fair-test check
Study lensTrack electron movement during charging by friction and charging by induction.
Try this
Follow the electrons and the order of steps. Most static-electricity mistakes happen when one of those breaks.
Learn to
- Track electron movement during charging by friction and charging by induction.
- Decide when attraction or repulsion is guaranteed and when attraction alone proves nothing.
- Explain earthing, sparks, and field-line direction using O Level language.
Exam transfer
Governing idea
Charge is conserved: electrons transfer between materials. Like charges repel, unlike charges attract, and a charged object can polarize a nearby neutral object.
Model boundary
Charge is shown in discrete visual packets and leakage is simplified. Humidity, sharp points, material history, and air ionization affect real demonstrations.
Avoid this trap
In ordinary solids, electrons move; protons remain bound inside nuclei. A positively charged object has lost electrons rather than gained protons.
How to explore
Step through charging, induction, attraction, and discharge without losing track of electron movement or field direction.
Predict the outcome, change one variable at a time, then interpret the result. Completion records participation only and does not award mastery.
About this activity
Use electroscope and charge-interaction scenes to reason through charging, induction, earthing, sparks, and field patterns. A text explanation and no-JavaScript route remain available.
How this activity affects progress
Course and syllabus information
- Course
- SEC G3 Physics
- Edition
- SEC G3 Physics 2027