Electricity

Question 1

Electricity

Answer 1

The flow of electrons

When a bunch of atoms and electrons are moving from one atom to another, all in the same direction

There are 2 types

Question 2

What are the types of electricity? Describe them.

Answer 2

Static and Current electricity.

Static:
Occurs due to the an imbalance of electrons between 2 objects
Happens when there has been a transfer of electrons between 2 different materials that have come into contact

Current:
In an electronic circuit, the current is the flow of electrons; the path that electricity takes.
The direction of the current is the opposite direction to the movement of the circuit’s electrons

Question 3

The Charge Law

Answer 3

Opposite charges attract and like charges repel

–> <– opp.
<– –> like

Question 4

What is induced charge and how does it work?

Answer 4

An induced charge is a neutral object that is attracted to a charged object.

This is done by the use of static electricity to create a temporary, one-off change. Electrons from the neutral object then move either towards or away from the charged object.

Question 5

What is friction and what can it do?

Answer 5

Friction is a force that resists the movement of one object moving against another. It can create static electricity.

Question 6

Describe the 2 ways in which an insulator rubbed with cloth can be charged.

Answer 6

1. The electrons move from the cloth to the insulator, and therefore the insulator ends up with an overall negative charge.
2. The electrons move from insulator to cloth, and therefore the cloth ends up with an overall negative charge.

Question 7

Van de Graaff Generator

Answer 7

An electrostatic generator, which uses a moving belt to accumulate electric charge on a hollow metal globe.

Question 8

What is the relationship between friction and static electricity?

Answer 8

Static electricity can build up on an object by the force of friction and contact. In this way, friction can generate static electricity.

Question 9

What is lightning and what is it caused by?

Answer 9

Lightning is a naturally-occurring example of static electricity. It is a discharge that occurs when 2 electrically charged regions equalise themselves, which causes the release of a huge amount of energy. This discharge of energy is caused by an imbalance of electrons in the atmosphere.

Question 10

Compare static and current electricity

Answer 10

Static electricity is a buildup of electric charge on a surface; in other words, it is a one-time event.

In comparison, the electrons in current electricity move along a wire. It is a constant flow rather than a one-time event.