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Static Electricity

1) Static electricity refers to stationary or static charges and is the study of how individual charges move into stationary positions. 2) Opposite charges attract each other, while like charges repel each other. This is known as the Golden Rule of electrostatics. 3) Conductors allow charge to pass through and insulators do not. Atoms can gain or lose electrons, becoming positively or negatively charged. Charging occurs through friction, which causes materials like plastic to gain or lose electrons.

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2K views6 pages

Static Electricity

1) Static electricity refers to stationary or static charges and is the study of how individual charges move into stationary positions. 2) Opposite charges attract each other, while like charges repel each other. This is known as the Golden Rule of electrostatics. 3) Conductors allow charge to pass through and insulators do not. Atoms can gain or lose electrons, becoming positively or negatively charged. Charging occurs through friction, which causes materials like plastic to gain or lose electrons.

Uploaded by

phydotsi
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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STATIC ELECTRICITY P2

The term Electrostatics,, or Static Electricity,


comes from the Greek words elektron (meaning
“amber”, see box below) and statikos (roughly
meaning “stationary”).

It is therefore the study of stationary charge.


However, ironically, we often look at the way in
which individual charges move into these
stationary positions.

A charged rod attracting scraps of


Opposite Charges Attract; Like Charges Repel paper. Taken from Opfindelsernes Bog
[1978] (“Book
“Book of Inventions”)
Inventions by André
This is the Golden Rule! If you remember nothing Lütken.
else, then remember this. Do the rod and paper have the same,
same or
different, charges?

Remember the difference between conductors and insulators? A conductor


allows charge to pass through it, while an insulator does not.
STATIC ELECTRICITY P2
Conductors, Atoms and Negative Charges

Metals conduct very well because they have free electrons;


charges which are able to move around. An atom is made
up of protons (positive charge), electrons (negative charge)
and neutrons (uncharged). However, atoms can gain or lose
electrons: they can become either positively or negatively
charged.

Adding electrons ⇒ atom will become negatively charged.


Amber, famous for having
Removing electrons ⇒ atom becomes positively charged.
insects trapped inside, was
admired by the Ancient Greeks Charging by Friction
for its electrostatic properties;
it gains charge when friction is When Perspex or Polythene, along with various other
applied. materials (see right) are rubbed, they may gain or lose
electrons, depending on the material.

As electrons are negatively charged, this


means that the substance becomes either
positively or negatively charged itself.

Charge and Force

So two positive (or two negative) charges


will repel each other. A positive and a
negative charge will attract each other.

Unlike charges attract;


like charges repel.

Two charges, when brought close to one


another, will exert a force on one another.
STATIC ELECTRICITY P2

Now answer the following questions.

1)

2)
STATIC ELECTRICITY P2
3)
STATIC ELECTRICITY P2
4)
STATIC ELECTRICITY P2
5)

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