Electricity

Question 1

define

define charge

Answer 1

Electric charge is the physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. Electric charge can be positive or negative. Like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other

Question 2

what

• What type of materials build up charged?

Answer 2

Static electricity is the build-up of positive or negative electric charges on a material’s surface. Some materials that can be charged by rubbing are plastic comb, balloons, dry hair, cat’s fur, glass rod, silk cloth, ebonite rod

Question 3

how

• How do materials become charged?

Answer 3

An electrical charge is created when electrons are transferred to or removed from an object. Because electrons have a negative charge, when they are added to an object, it becomes negatively charged. When electrons are removed from an object, it becomes positively charged.

Question 4

why

• Why do materials become charged?

Answer 4

An electrical charge is created when electrons are transferred to or removed from an object.

Question 5

distinguish

• Distinguish between conductors and insulators.

Answer 5

A conductor allows current to flow easily through it. Insulators don’t allow current to flow through it. Electric charges are absent in insulator.

Question 6

describe

• Describe examples of static electricity in everyday life.

Answer 6

There are a number of common examples of static electricity. Static electricity can be seen when a balloon is rubbed against one’s hair, for example. Another common example is the shock one receives after walking across a carpet and then touching a door knob.

Question 7

describe

• Describe earthing.

Answer 7

Earthing is defined as “the process in which the instantaneous discharge of the electrical energy takes place by transferring charges directly to the earth through low resistance wire.”