Electric Charges and Field

Question 1

Charged Objects

Answer 1

If an object has unequal amount of protons and electrons, we say that the object is charged.

This often happens when two objects are rubbed together and electrons move from one object to another.

If the charges are not moving, this inequality is called electrostatic charge or static electricity.

Question 2

Electrical Potential Difference

Answer 2

Imagine a negatively charged particle being pulled away from a positively charged particle.

This would require energy (work), which is ‘stored’ as potential energy. If you let go, the potential energy would be converted to kinetic energy and the particle would fly back towards the positive charge.

When the charges are separated, there is a potential energy difference between them. This is known as electric potential difference, or more simply as voltage.

Question 3

Conventional Current + normal current

Answer 3

Conventional Current flows from the positive terminal of the battery to the negative terminal.

Electron current flows from the negative terminal to the positive terminal.