Static Charge and Semiconductors

Students learn the importance of semiconductors in their lives. They observe through a laboratory experience how charged materials affect the voltage output of a semiconductor. By connecting a soda can to the gate of a MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor) a charge reservoir is created. Since, the MOSFET can be damaged by direct contact with static charge it is important to discharge the can before attaching it to the gate of the MOSFET. In this way the can becomes an antenna allowing students to observe the brightness of a bulb when charged materials are brought near the circuit, which includes the MOSFET. By linking this laboratory to a static charge laboratory that was performed at the beginning of the Electricity and Magnetism unit students relate the effects of static charge on their electronic devices and ultimately the importance of semiconductors in their lives.