Re: Magnitude of feet-scuffing voltage?

[Ludwik Kowalski <KowalskiL@MAIL.MONTCLAIR.EDU>]

Another way to convince people about the intimate connection between
the Q and d.o.p. is use the electrophorus to electrify an insulated
pail and then draw a spark. But, as you say, nothing is better than
a voltmeter to demonstrate the d.o.p. (Just an idea I never tried).
The elstat machines are much more convenient.

Pasco (and Vernier) probes do measure the d.o.p. without presenting a
significant load (R>10^12 ohms ?) but only up to 6 volts. The d.o.p.
range of a Pasco electrometer is higher but still limited. Having a
commercial instrument whose range exceeds 300 or 500 V would be very
useful to me too. Any suggestions?

William Beaty wrote:

> My situation is abnormal: the purpose of the voltmeter is to shatter the
> misconceptions of a person who believes that "static electricity" involves
> only surface charge, and has nothing to do with high voltage.  (This
> misconception is not rare.  It is caused by the teachings of K-12
> textbooks where qualitative attraction/repulsion forces are repeatedly
> emphasized, but the actual magnitude of the potential between the objects
> involved is never mentioned.)