1.1 - Static Electricity

Question 1

What is static electricity?

Answer 1

A stationary electric charge produced by rubbing or touching materials

Question 2

What are neutral objects?

Answer 2

Neutral objects have equal numbers of protons and electrons and no charge.

Question 3

True or False?

Electrons can move from one object to another, creating charged objects.

Answer 3

True. Electrons can move from one object to another, creating charged objects.

Question 4

Which objects have more protons than electrons?

Answer 4

Positively charged objects have more protons than electrons, Negatively charged objects have more electrons than protons

Question 5

What are the 3 Laws of Charges?

Answer 5

1. Unlike charges attract
2. Like charges repel
3. Charged objects attract uncharged (neutral) objects

Question 6

What is charge separation?

Answer 6

The concentration of like charges in specific areas of a neutral object, caused by the approach of a charged object
- Ex. A charged balloon

Question 7

What is electrical discharge?

Answer 7

Electrical discharge occurs when the built-up charge on an object is attracted to another object and jumps to it, neutralizing both objects
- Ex. Feeling a shock or seeing a spark when you reach for a doorknob after walking on carpet

Question 8

When is static electricity the worst?

Answer 8

Static electricity is worse in the winter, when the air is cold and dry (moist air helps dissipate static charges)

Question 9

What is a Van de Graaf generator (VDG)?

Answer 9

Uses friction to build up static charge on a sphere.