Today in physics we started off class by turning in our homework. We then received a paper with different experiments that we were to complete and turn in before the end of class. Next, Mr. Ebersole showed us the first experiment on the sheet about a Van de Graaf generator. After Mr. Ebersole explained how the generator works and Lauren volunteered to stand on a stool and touch the generator. Her hair was becoming positively charged from the machine, and after a moment or two her hair began to rise slowly. Mr. Ebersole then asked for a volunteer to hold Lauren's hand. Hunter wanted to volunteer so when he grabbed Lauren's hand he got shocked! Lauren's hair started to go down because some of the charge was passed on to Hunter. Amalea then volunteered to hold Hunter's hand and received a more mild shock. More volunteers linked hands and the farther down the chain from Lauren, the milder the shock.
Next, Mr. Ebersole passed out our 18.1-18.5 guided reading. He then took 2 tables at a time into the back room to perform the wintergreen mint experiment. He hammered the mint, causing the mint to spark. We had to perfom the experiment several times because Ashley missed the spark, but after several tries she finally saw it! While some groups were doing this experiment, the remaining groups performed two other experiments. The first one everyone had to balance a nickel on its side and then balance a match on the nickel. A beaker was then placed over the nickel and we had to attempt to knock over the match by wiping a piece of rabbit fur on a rod. The final experiment involved rubbing tape on the table and ripping it off, then using it to move the foil leaves inside an Erlenmeyer flask that were attached to a rod. After turning in the assignment the rest of the class was used to get a start on the guided reading.
QOD:Why do wintergreen lifesavers spark when you bite into them?
The mints spark because biting them frees electrons, which then collide with air molecules causing the spark.
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