5C10.20 Parallel Plate Capacitor

Charge up the plates using the Van de Graaff. Disconnect wire going from top of sphere to fixed plate at plate end. Change the spacing of a charged parallel plate capacitor while it is attached to an electroscope. Observe changes in electroscope pointer.

Setup Requirements: Assembled as needed. May need to dry out belt. Problem with parts under dome of larger version coming loose.

Equations:CV = Q  C proportional to 1/d.

Safety Issues: Shock when touching Van de Graff or wires attached to it.