During an investigation of methods of charge transfer, students are asked to make an electroscope using a flask. They insert a metal rod through a stopper and bend a hook on the end that will be inside the flask. They have a bent piece of metal on the hook to create foil leaves. Once the stopper has been pushed into place, they attach a metal ball to the end of the metal rod sticking out of the flask. a
The students are asked to use an acrylic rod to charge the electroscope by conduction. They begin to develop the following procedure:
1. Touch the rod to the metal ball.
2. Observe any movement of the foil leaves inside the flask.
3. Charge the rod.
4. Ground the electroscope by touching a conductive material to the metal ball.