Rubbed rod and plastic water bottle: Qualitative Observational Experiment
Aim
Observe how a rubbed rod interacts with an unrubbed plastic water bottle.
Prior Knowledge
- Interaction between rubbed objects
Description of the Experiment
A rubbed rod is brought near a plastic bottle on a swivel. There is NO contact between objects.
|
|
| Youtube movies can be stepped frame by frame using the , and . keys on your keyboard. If you want to download the movie to your computer, right-click or control-click HERE. |
Questions
- Record your observations and compare them to the observations in a similar experiment where instead of the plastic bottle you had a metal soda can (this is a previous experiment).
- Think of what you need to assume about the internal structure of plastic to devise an explanation for the observed phenomenon. Remember, there is NO contact between the objects.
- How is this explanation similar to the explanation of the experiment with a metal soda can? How is it different?
- What can be the difference in the internal structure of metals and plastic? If you are familiar with chemistry, then what chemistry ideas might support your reasoning?
