Metal Electrophorus with Insulating Handle and Plates

Description

The Metal Electrophorus with Insulating Handle and Plates, 50–150 mm, also known as an electrostatic electrophorus, electrophorus induction apparatus or electrostatic charge transfer device, is designed for demonstrating the fundamental principles of electrostatic induction, charge separation and electrical charge transfer. Manufactured by IEC (Industrial Equipment & Control Pty Ltd), this Australian-made physics apparatus consists of a flat conductive metal disc attached to an electrically insulating handle, together with a metal base plate and an insulating plate.

The electrophorus provides a practical method for investigating how an electrical charge can be induced on a conductor without directly rubbing the conductor against another material. The range includes three metal disc diameters: 50 mm, 100 mm and 150 mm, allowing educators to select an appropriate size according to the laboratory setup and intended demonstration. The 50 mm variation weighs approximately 100 g and provides a compact option for individual or small-group electrostatics investigations.

The 100 mm variation weighs approximately 150 g and provides an intermediate disc size suitable for classroom demonstrations and general physics experiments. The 150 mm variation weighs approximately 200 g and offers a larger conducting surface for demonstrations involving electrostatic charge distribution and induction. During a typical experiment, the insulating plate is positioned over the metal base plate. The insulating surface can be electrically charged through friction using an appropriate rubbing material. When the conductive electrophorus disc is placed near or onto the charged insulating plate, the electric field causes charges within the metal disc to redistribute. This process is known as electrostatic induction.

While the disc remains close to the charged insulating surface, briefly grounding the metal disc allows charge to flow between the conductor and earth. After removing the grounding connection, the disc can be lifted using its electrically insulating handle. The metal disc retains a net electrostatic charge that can be transferred to suitable demonstration equipment. The insulating handle reduces charge leakage through the user’s hand, allowing the electrostatic charge to remain on the conductive disc during handling. The metal disc, insulating plate and metal base can also be used to explain the principles of capacitance, where electrical energy is associated with an electric field between conducting surfaces separated by an insulating material.

Students can repeat the charging procedure to investigate how electrostatic induction differs from charging by friction and direct contact. The apparatus can be used alongside suitable electroscopes, electrostatic pith balls and other electrostatics demonstration equipment to examine electrical attraction, repulsion and charge transfer. The three disc sizes provide flexibility for educational experiments, although the amount of charge obtained depends on surface condition, humidity, grounding and the charging procedure. These electrophorus models are suitable for secondary school physics, university teaching laboratories and practical electricity and magnetism demonstrations, helping students observe electrostatic principles through hands-on experiments.

Safety Precautions: Use under appropriate laboratory supervision. Keep the apparatus away from flammable vapours and sensitive electronic equipment. Avoid deliberate discharge through people or electronic devices. Clean and dry the insulating surfaces before use, and handle the equipment by its insulated components. Each selected variation comprises one metal disc with an insulating handle, one metal base plate and one insulating plate, forming the complete electrophorus apparatus described by IEC.

LabChoice Australia supplies IEC electrophorus apparatus, electroscopes and educational electrostatics equipment for schools, universities and science laboratories across Australia.