I have a science experiment about static electricity. I have a sheet of copper which is attached to an alligator clip. This is then supposed to be attached to a ground connection. Can that be anything metal like a screw? Does it have to be something very large and metal?I‘m discharging the static electricity from a balloon and pieces of paper using the copper. It seems that when I used just a screw, the balloon still had quite a bit of static electricity. When I used a large metal object, it did not.
The metal object must be grounded. The ground tap of an electric outlet or water pipe will work if properly installed (depending on where you are, that may be a big assumption). An antistatic wrist strap or mat would work, but is overkill for the voltages you are dealing with. Metals are not to only material that can accept the charge, but they accept it quickly. A larger mass of material can diffuse more electric charge. The Earth is the largest mass available. The principles behind a Van de Graaff generator show how charges collect and distribute.
A 20-22 gauge wire with a ring terminal clamped under the cover screw of any modern light switch or power receptacle should be an easy, adequate and safe ground source for your application.
small charges may be attached to a ground such as a metal duct for indoor hot air heating. Alternatively you can use a water tap if the plumbing is of metal, eg. copper.-- failing these you can use a metal window frame or place a metal rod in the earth and connect it with a wire., or connect with a metal drainpipe outside.
The metal object must be grounded. The ground tap of an electric outlet or water pipe will work if properly installed (depending on where you are, that may be a big assumption). An antistatic wrist strap or mat would work, but is overkill for the voltages you are dealing with. Metals are not to only material that can accept the charge, but they accept it quickly. A larger mass of material can diffuse more electric charge. The Earth is the largest mass available. The principles behind a Van de Graaff generator show how charges collect and distribute.
A 20-22 gauge wire with a ring terminal clamped under the cover screw of any modern light switch or power receptacle should be an easy, adequate and safe ground source for your application.
small charges may be attached to a ground such as a metal duct for indoor hot air heating. Alternatively you can use a water tap if the plumbing is of metal, eg. copper.-- failing these you can use a metal window frame or place a metal rod in the earth and connect it with a wire., or connect with a metal drainpipe outside.
