Physical Science Fair Projects

Physical science fair projects are for people who are interested in learning about electricity, energy, gravity, machines, magnets and how materials change and combine. There is a wide range of topics to choose from under this category as there are many sub-categories, but one interesting and fairly simple physical science fair project is to make your own electroscope.

I recommend these printable science project plans for K-12 for hundreds of great project blueprints and this step-by-step guide for doing an award winning science fair project. Also be sure to check out these fun science kits as a fast, simple way to get started on your science experiment.

An electroscope is a device that is used to detect static electricity and making your own is quite simple. All you will need is a glass jar with a cupboard cover or lid, one large nail and two pieces of thin metal foil.

Cut the cardboard a little larger than the top of the jar and put the nail through the top of the jar, through the middle of the cardboard lid. Then, attach two pieces of thin foil to the end of the nail and put the lid on the jar. When you put a charged object close to the nail head, the foil strips should separate because each strip gathers similar electric charges through the nail and these charges repel.

This is a great project for someone with a limited amount of time on their hands because it does not take long to do, but it is still a very interesting project and there is little doubt that your audience will enjoy it. You will also probably enjoy the ease and little time it takes to put it all together.

Where would you like to go next?

...See more of our free science experiments by age group, science type, or an alphabetical listing of all experiments?

...Download printable science project plans for K-12?

...Get step-by-step instructions on how to do an award winning science fair project?

...Or pick up science kits for your project?


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Physical Science Fair Projects Page