Explore the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks
Rub John's foot on the carpet, collect charge, and bring his finger close to the doorknob to make a spark. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks?
Rub John's foot on the carpet, collect charge, and bring his finger close to the doorknob to make a spark. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Static control matters in electronics factories, fuel tankers, hospitals and printers.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Rubbing transfers electrons and builds up static charge.
Like charges repel: John's hair stands up.
A spark jumps when the charge is large enough to cross the air gap.
Rub the foot and watch the hair rise.
Get a spark from far away with lots of charge.
Raise the humidity and try again.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Physics learners
Physics students in middle school, high school and first-year university, teachers who want a quick demonstration for the projector, and anyone revising for exams.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Get a spark from far away with lots of charge. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
Why do you get a shock from a doorknob?
Charge built up on you jumps to the metal knob when you are close enough.
Why is static worse in winter?
Dry air is a poor conductor, so charge cannot leak away.
Is the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks free to use?
Yes. The John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Physics group of AZRS simulations.
Does the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 7 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks?
1. In the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks, use the controls to change Floor, Humidity of the air, Touch, Show electrons, Field lines, and more. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks, pick an option such as Nylon carpet, Wool carpet, Cotton rug, Wood floor to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks, press "Rub automatically", "Touch to discharge", "Reset" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Rub the foot and watch the hair rise. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Rubbing transfers electrons and builds up static charge.
More free tools
Related to the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks.
Try the John Travoltage: Static Electricity & Sparks now
Rub John's foot on the carpet, collect charge, and bring his finger close to the doorknob. Free to use.
Try it free