Electrostatic Study Guide Flashcards
Electrostatics
The study of electric charges that can be collected and held in one place
Conductor - provide multiple examples
A material that allows charges to move about easily
- Ex: copper, plasma, graphite
Insulator
A material through which a charge will not move easily
- Ex: dry air, cloth, glass
Name the three main parts of an electroscope
A metal knob, metal stem, and light weight metal foils called leaves
What is the Coulomb’s Law Equation
F = K q1q2/r^2
What are three applications of Electric Forces
laser printers, photocopy machines, and tiny paint droplets
What is the ohm’s law formula, what are the units and symbols
V = IR
V = volts
I = current, amps
R = ohms, resistance
What is the difference between superconductors and semiconductors
Superconductors face no resistance, while semiconductors have a conductivity between conductors and insulators
What are the four things that can affect resistance
Length, cross-sectional area, temperature, and material
A conventional current is the flow of ___________
positive charge
A __________ is a material with zero resistance
superconductor
In a __________ , there is only one path for the current to flow
series connection
Who was the narrator of the Cosmos episode titled “Electric Boy”
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Who is the “Electric Boy?”
Michael Faraday
Current is measured in units called _______
amperes
Power
watts
Parallel
more than one path for current to flow
Resistor
device designed to have a specific resistance
Ohm
unit of resistance
Joule
the unit of energy
What happens to the force between two changes if the magnitude of one charge is doubled?
Force doubles
Name the five main energy sources for creating electricity
coal, natural gas, petroleum, nuclear power, hydropower
Name the four alternative energy sources for creating electricity
geothermal, solar power, wind power, biomass
What is an electroscope designed to remove?
air currents
static electricity
formed by rubbing electrons off, or on, a surface
like charges
repel
ion
charged particle
attract
unlike charges
conductor
allows electric current to flow
farad
unit of capacitance
electroscope
device used for detecting electric charge
electric field
force surrounding a charged object
voltage
potential difference
capacitor
device used to store electric charge
insulator
prevents flow of electrons
Ohm
unit of electric resistance
Ben Franklin
kite experiment
Battery
chemical device to make electricity
electric current
flow of electrons
dielectric
insulating sheet in a capacitor
superconductor
has no internal resistance
joule
unit of energy
watt
unit of power
Volta
invented the battery
What are the 4 fundamental field force from strongest to weakest?
strong nuclear, weak nuclear, electromagnetic, gravitational
How does length change resistance?
Resistance increases as length increases
How does cross-sectional area change resistance?
Resistance increases as the cross sectional area decreases
How does temperature change resistance?
Resistance usually increases as temperature increases
How does material change resistance?
With all other variables constant, resistance varies with the materials used.
Compare the flow of water to the flow of current
The flow of water through a pipe is similar to the flow of electricity through a wire. The current of electricity would be the same as how much water is flowing (gal/min) and the volts would be the pressure of water.
