Chapter 9: Static Electricity

Question 1

What is static electricity?

Answer 1

An imbalance between negative and positive charges in an object can cause charges to build up on a surface of an object. These charges will remain there until they find a way to be released or discharged. In an insulator, these charges cannot be easily dispersed, which is why it is called static electricity

Question 2

What causes static electricity?

Answer 2

A transfer of charge.

Question 3

How does rubbing a polyethene strip on wool cause static electricity?

Answer 3

Rubbing a polyethene strip on wool causes some of the outer electrons in the wool to move over to the polyethene strip. This will cause the polyethene to become negatively charged, and the wool to become positively charged.

Question 4

When is an object uncharged, or at neutral charge?

Answer 4

When it has an equal number of negative and positive charges

Question 5

What is current?

Answer 5

The flow of electrical charge (electrons)
Current (I) = Charge (Q) / Time (t)

Question 6

What objects will attract each other? (in terms of charge)

Answer 6

A charged object and a oppositely charged object / neutral object

Question 7

How can a charged insulator be discharged?

Answer 7

Heating, exposing the insulator to humid conditions

Question 8

How can a charged conductor be discharged?

Answer 8

Earthing