Electrostatics Flashcards
What is the branch of physics that deals with stationary or resting charges?
electrostatics
What are the 3 methods of electrification?
friction
contact
induction
What are the 5 laws of electrostatics?
Like charges repel/Unlike charges attract (energy)
Coulomb’s Law (Force)
Electric charges are only on external surfaces of conductors
Concentration of charges on a curved surface of a conductor is greatest where curve is greatest
Only negative charges can move on solid conductors
What is an atom with too many or too few electrons called?
Ion
What is an ion?
an electrically charged particle
How can the maximum # of electrons per shell be determined?
Shell number formula = 2n²
What is the smallest unit of an electric charge?
proton (+1) or electron (-1)
Electrons in the K shell are more or less tightly bound than ones in the Q shell?
more tightly bound
What are the 2 types of electric charges?
positive & negative
What is the process of removing or adding electrons to a body of matter?
electrification
T/F. Electric energy can be converted from or to other forms?
True
What is an object that is always available to accept electric charges from an electrified object called?
neutral or an electric ground
What is the removal of electrons from one object by rubbing it with another object called?
Friction
What is it called when 2 objects touch, permitting electrons to move from one object to another (body charged by friction then allowed to touch uncharged object)?
Contact
List sources of friction.
combing hair
rubbing balloon on sweater
List the result of contact electrification on film.
(tree or smudge) static on film
What is it called when electrical fields act on one another without contact?
Induction
What are the 4 kinds of electrical conductivity?
Non-conductors/insulators
Conductors
Semi-conductors
Superconductors
Do non-conductors/insulators allow the free flow of electrons?
no
Do conductors allow the free flow of electrons?
yes
So semi-conductors allow the free flow of electrons?
sometimes
Do superconductors allow the free flow of electrons?
yes, completely but must be very cold
Surrounding every charged body, there is a region in which a force is exerted on another charged body. This zone is called:
an electric field
An electric field points inward or outward from a positive charge?
outward
An electric field points inward or outward from a negative charge?
inward
If you double the distance between 2 charges, how much less attracted are they?
4 times less attracted (inverse square/Coulomb’s law)
Coulomb’s law states what 2 things?
The greater the electrostatic charge on each object, the greater the electrostatic force (they are directly proportional).
The electrostatic force is inversely proportional to the distance² (closer together=stronger attraction and vice versa).
Coulomb’s Law relates to what?
Force
What is the unit of measure for an electrical charge?
Coulomb (C)
What is the unit of measure for electrical potential?
Volt (V)
What is the unit of measure for electric current?
Amperage (A)
What is the unit of measure for electrical resistance?
Ohms (Ω)
What is the unit of measure for electrical power?
Watt (W)
What is the unit of measure for electrostatic force?
Newtons (N)
What is the science of electrostatic charges in motion?
Electrodynamics
What is the path over which an electron current flows called?
an electric circuit
What are the 3 factors in electric current?
Potential Difference (EMF)
Current
Resistance
What is the difference in electrical potential energy between 2 points in a circuit, due to excess of e¯ at one point (the difference of potential is what drives the e¯)?
Potential Difference
What is the amount of electricity flowing per second called?
Current
What is the property which opposes or hinders the flow of electric current?
Resistance
What is an example of a resistance?
an insulator
Resistance depends on what 4 factors?
material
length
cross-sectional area
temperature
If you increase the length, what happens to resistance?
it increases
If you increase the cross-sectional area, what happens to resistance?
it decreases (resistance is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area)
List 2 superconductor materials.
Niobium & Titanium
List 2 conductor materials.
Copper & Aluminum
List 2 semi-conductor materials.
Silicon & Germanium
List 2 insulator materials.
rubber & glass
What is another word for circuit?
pathway
What is defined as the flow of charged particles?
electric current
What is the power of electric current measured in?
Watts
What is the formula to find the power of an electric current?
P=IV
Power in Watts=(Amps)(Volts)
or
P=I²R
Power in Watts=(Amps²)(Resistance)
Kilo refers to what #?
1,000
Milli refers to what #?
1/1,000
What is defined as flow in one direction?
direct current
What is defined as current that oscillates back & forth?
alternating current
Give an example of something that uses direct current.
batteries
Give an example of something that uses alternating current.
light bulbs
What is the unit of measure for frequency?
Hertz (Hz)
AC (alternating current) in the US is how many Hz?
60Hz
Each AC (alternating current) cycle of frequency is how fast?
1/60th of a second
How often does AC (alternating current) reverse its direction?
1/120th of a second
60 AC cycles is how many Hz?
60Hz
On an (X,Y) axis used to measure Hertz, the X stands for what?
time
On an (X,Y) axis used to measure Hertz, the Y stands for what?
amplitude of current