Electrostatics Flashcards
Structure of an atom
protons and neutrons in nucleus, electrons in outer rings
protons
positive charge, in the nucleus, more mass than electrons - doesn’t move (usually)
electrons
negatively charged, in outer rings of atom, less mass than protons - moves around
neutrons
keep protons in nucleus, neutrally charged
Neutral objects
an equal # of protons and electrons
attraction vs. repulsion
Attraction:
- opposite charges
- neutral to charged object
Repulsion:
- same charge
Properties of Electrons
charge -1.6x10^-19, repel electrons, attract neutrons, attract protons
Properties of Protons
charge 1.6x10^-19, repel protons, attract neutrons and electrons
Coulomb’s law
more charge = more force
more distance = less force
negative Force attractive
positive force repulsive
Charge interactions
opposites attract, sames repel, positive and negative charges are attracted to neutral objects
Electrostatic Force
A non contact force with positive and negative
Insulators vs. Conductors
Insulators:
- smaller atomic radius
- electrons held tightly in place
- harder for electrons to flow
Conductors:
- large atomic radius
- easily move electrons on outer shell
- electrons flow easily through
higher electronegativity = pulls in electrons
Charging by Friction
rubbing insulators together to create a charge making one positively charged and one negatively charged
Charging by Induction
charged object creates a dipole in a neutral object, another neutral object touches the dipole either taking excess electrons on that side or attracting electrons from the hand - the object touched would not be charged
Charging by Conduction
Contact - charged object touching neutral object either transfers or takes electrons therefore making the charged object neutral, and the neutral object charged
