Which Materials Conduct?
Which Don’t?

3.

Watch the leaves. If they remain apart, the object you’re holding is an insulator. If they go down, you’re holding a conductor. (Don’t forget to recharge the scope each time the leaves go down.)

After testing each object, record an “I” or “C” on your chart.

Touch all the objects you used in the last activity, one by one, to the loop.

Got them all tested? Good. But there’s much  more  to  an  experiment  than  just doing it. Trying to make sense of what you’ve found is the real challenge. Look at your data table again and ask yourself some questions:

Would  you  classify  metals  as  conductors or  insulators?  How  about  plastics  and glass? Why?

a

Do any patterns present themselves? Look hard. For example, did you find that the objects that discharged your electroscope were conductors or insulators? Why do you think that is so? Describe it
in terms of electron movement.

b

By the way, are you a conductor or an insulator?  How  do  you  know?

c