Electrostatics

Question 1

Conductors

Answer 1

• Electricity can flow through a material
• Electron flow in conductors
  * Lots of atoms in a metal wire
  * If an electron breaks free from one atom, it is attracted and will bind to another atom
  * This atom then ejects one of its own electrons, which in turn looks for another atom nearby to attach to, etc
• Electrons can flow freely
• E.g.
  * Gold
  * Silver
  * Copper

Question 2

Insulators

Answer 2

• Materials that slow down and block electricity
• Electrons cannot flow freely - static
• Electrons (-) are bound tightly to the nuclei (+) so they can resist movement
• E.g.
  * Plastic
  * Wood
  * Glass

Question 3

Static Electricity

Answer 3

• Metals allow the flow of electrons
• Dealing with insulators
• Two non-metal insulators are rubbed together, they are charged
  ○ Electrons move from one material to another
  ○ Transfer of electrons leaves one material with a less negative charge, and vice versa
  ○ E.g. ruler and cloth
• Spark caused can be dangerous