Static Electricity Writing Assignment

 

Materials: Computer Lab

Time Allotment: 2 Class Days; due on Monday

Overview:

Conduct an Internet search and complete a writing assignment which demonstrates your understanding of the application of the principles of static electricity.

The Assignment - Internet Search:

In this assignment, you will conduct an Internet search in order to gather and make meaning of the physics of one of the topics listed below. You must have at least three Internet sources with the title of the site and the URL (i.e., the http: address) for each source. Furthermore, you will have to retrieve at least one graphic image (either printed or downloaded to disk) which meaningfully depicts some physics. (Encyclopedias and CD-ROMs are not counted as an Internet resource.) Guiding questions for each topic are provided; do not feel limited by these questions but definitely give attention to them. Upon making meaning of the topic, you will summarize your findings in the form of a short writing exercise. Directions and guidelines for the writing portion of the assignment are provided below. The chosen topics involve topics for which there is an abundance of available scientific information that is both understandable and interesting for high school students. Eligible topics for your Internet search include the following:

• Van de Graaf Generators

  Explain what a Van de Graaf generator is and why they are used. Explain the operation of a Van de Graaf generator (i.e., explain how they generate electricity). Discuss the different ways that Van de Graaf generators are used in museums (and physics classrooms) to demonstrate scientific principles.

• Lightning Discharges and Lightning Rods

  Explain how static charge can build up in clouds and describe the different ways that a cloud will discharge its excess charge. Explain in detail how and why the excess charge discharges in the manner it that it does. Explain the reason for the use of lightning rods in homes and some of the difficulties associated with their misuse.

• Ben Franklin's Static Electricity Experiments

  Describe some of Ben Franklin's scientific studies, particularly those associated with static electricity and charge. Explain what Ben Franklin was able to discover about electric charge and describe his contribution to our understanding of electricity.

• St. Elmo's Fire and Corona

  Describe what St. Elmo's fire is and describe its appearance if it one were to see it. Discuss why St. Elmo's fire appears the way that it does (i.e., what is happening to give it the characteristic appearance). Explain why and when St. Elmo's fire occurs.

• Nikola Telsa and Telsa Coils

  Discuss who Nikola Telsa was and describe some of his scientic studies. Explain what he discovered and the contributions which he made to our understanding of electricity. Discuss what a telsa coil is and what it is used for.

It is suggested that you pick a topic that is of natural interest to you and spend your time enjoying the Internet search (rather than merely getting it over with it). To begin your search, it is recommended that you use an Internet search engine such as Hot Bot, Alta Vista, Mamma, Lycos, DogPile etc. Use some strategic search terms in order to gather an index of reasonable sites which pertain to your topic. As you conduct your search, devote your time to looking for scientific information. If you happen to find links to such places as The Franklin Institute Science Museum, the Theatre of Electricity, or Bill Beaty's Science Site, be sure to follow the links. These are excellent and understandable sites with a wealth of scientific information on the topics listed above.

The Assignment - Written Summary:

Once you have conducted a suitable search of your topic, write an organized summary of your findings in your own words. The summary should be word processed and at least two pages long and not more than four pages long. The summary should also include the following features:

• The topic should be discussed in a manner that communicates it clearly to an individual who has little or no prior understanding of the topic. Consequently, any use of sophisticated terms is first defined and explained without the assumption that the reader is familiar with such terms.
• A clear connection should be made between the topic being discussed and principles discussed in Chapters 20. It should be obvious to the reader that you understand how static electricity is applied to the real world phenomenon which you have chosen to research.
• The actual sources which you used (See citing Internet Resources) must be properly cited.
• A graphic image, which you must acquire from the Internet, should be neatly attached to a clean sheet of paper and include a short caption written in your own words which meaningfully explains what is depicted in the picture.

Assessment:

Your writing assignment will be assessed using the following scoring rubric.

 

1. Internet Search Demonstrated an ability to conduct an extensive Internet search for information relevant to a given topic; was able to make judgments about the scientific validity of the info and to finally incorporate the info into a written summary.	0 - 20 Failed to use or to list three Internet sources or the information which was retrieved does not suitably address the topic.	30 - 40 Used and listed three Internet sources to retrieve and incorporate information into a written summary; search seems limited by the lack of quantity, meaningfulness, or quality of info.	50 Used and clearly listed three Internet sources to retrieve an abundance of accurate and meaningful information and clearly incorporated the information into the written summary.
2. Physics Understanding Demonstrated a clear understanding and application of electrostatic principles by exhaustively explaining the physics of the topic; included and meaningfully described a graphic image acquired from the Internet.	0 - 20 Discussions and explanations are brief and hasty; may have failed to include a graphic image; effectiveness of writing may be hindered by many serious errors; understanding of topic is not fully developed.	30 - 40 Discussions and explanations are superficial; attention not given to specifics of the physics; too vague; written summary may be inaccurate or lack organization and clarity; includes some few detrimental errors	50 Discussion and explanations involve depth and specifics; included an accurate writing was clear and organized; included a graphic image and a clear discussion of what it depicts; demonstrated a perfect understanding and application of physics

Citing Internet Resources

This assignment was adapted from one found on the Glenbrook High School website